A trip to France more than two years ago convinced QPR’s management team there was more to Modibo Maiga that met West Ham’s eye.

As a result, the journey to Sochaux by Harry Redknapp and Kevin Bond back in 2011 led to the loanee scoring on his Rangers debut in the 3-3 draw with Burnley at the weekend.

Maiga has been limited to just 31 appearances and three goals since he moved to Upton Park, but Bond believes they will succeed with the Mali international where Hammers failed.

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He said: “Harry can almost sniff out a player.

“Probably for one reason or another he (Maiga) wasn’t doing himself justice (at West Ham).

“Both Harry and I had seen him in France, and reckoned he had a bit more than he had shown, and we’ve given him the opportunity to show that with us.”