Armand Traore has warned his QPR team-mate to stay away from the fridge and concentrate on football - no matter how hard it might be.

Rangers boss Harry Redknapp admitted Adel Taarabt is struggling with a chronic ankle injury, and has as a result added the kilos.

Traore and Taarabt go all the way back to the same France U16 side. And the midfielder’s pal, left back against Stoke on Saturday, reckons Rangers are caught between a rock and a hard place dealing with their mercurial talent.

On one side, Taarabt needs to show self discipline, on the other, a caged free spirit might only be half the player.

Advice: Stoke City's Phillip Bardsley tries to get the ball from Traore

“It’s difficult,” said Traore. “I heard that when Neil Warnock was manager he let him do almost what he wanted, and he was great.

“Some players are different. I guess Adel has to learn that focus and hard work might not work for you at the start, but eventually it pays off. As a friend I need to make sure he keeps his head right.

“He went on holiday; he hurt his ankle and he wasn’t able to get a pre-season and now he’s playing catch up."

Traore reckons Taarabt is equally unlucky he has none of the metabolic rate of the former Arsenal defender.

“He doesn’t go out all the time, “Traore said, "and I don’t think Adel eats that much, but maybe it’s the wrong things.

“It’s all about knowledge of what you can and cannot eat. I know I could eat McDonald's every day, and have a body fat that's really low. In fact, I’m trying to bring my body fat higher. My wife is jealous.

“Adel’s the type who can’t eat pasta or rice every day; he needs to watch out for that.”