Djibril Cisse racially abused by former fans on Twitter

French forward Djibril Cisse has been subjected to racist abuse on his social networking Twitter account over his move from Lazio to English side Queens Park Rangers.

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Some Lazio fans left messages including racial slurs on his account and Cisse, who is black, retweeted the messages, saying he wanted to "show how some people are ... stupid".

A clearly upset Cisse, who used some choice language in his responses, added: "Wow, it's the idiot parade today. I'm really shocked, you two guys are ... brainless and you should be ... ashamed."

The ugly incident followed hot on the heels of racist chanting by Juventus fans during their match with Udinese on Saturday.

Racism is a problem in Italian football circles and Italy forward Mario Balotelli, who is of Ghanaian origin, was racially abused several times by Juve fans before he left for Manchester City a year and a half ago.

He was also the subject of abuse from Italian and Romanian fans while on international duty for a friendly in Austria, while he accused Chievo fans of abusing him on another occasion.

Serbian Sinisa Mihjlovic was the victim of racist abuse earlier this season when he was coach of Fiorentina, his own club's fans putting up a banner making a derogatory remark about his origins.

In 2007, Frenchman Louis Saha, who is black and had travelled to Rome with his then club Manchester United for a Champions League tie, accused Italian football authorities of not doing enough to tackle the racism problem.

As well as Juve, Brescia and Cagliari have been fined by football authorities in recent years due to their fans' racist chanting.

However, those fines have not exceeded 25,000 euros ($32,800), which is a paltry amount for an Italian top-flight side.

Juve were forced to play one match behind closed doors in 2008-09 and suffered a partial stand closure in another match the next season due to their fans' persistent targeting of Balotelli.

Zamora excited by QPR ambition

New signing Bobby Zamora predicts an exciting future lies ahead at QPR.

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The 31-year-old striker on Tuesday ended speculation linking him with a move away from Fulham by joining the club's west London rivals.

After signing a two-and-a-half-year deal, Zamora explained his reason for joining, and told the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk: "The ambition of the club was certainly a drawing factor as well [as reuniting with former Fulham manager Mark Hughes]."

He added: "I've been lucky enough to speak to Tony [Fernandes, QPR's chairman] and Phil [Beard, QPR's chief executive] has relayed a lot of messages about where this club want to go.

"For me, it was quite an easy decision to be a part of this.

"The sky's the limit. We're looking to go forward and to grow and I want to be a part of that."

Zamora has cost an initial £4.5million, which will rise depending on performance and will wear the number 52 shirt at the Hoops.

"QPR are certainly a club that are looking to go forward," he added. "That's something that I'm looking forward to being a part of.

"I got on really well with the manager at Fulham. We all grew to like Mark. I think that will be the case here. He's looking to take the club forward.

"I think this was the right time for me to have a fresh challenge. I had some great experiences at Fulham. Going to a European final is special. But this is a new challenge for myself and I'm thoroughly looking forward to it."

Sky's the limit says Zamora after QPR move

Queens Park Rangers striker Bobby Zamora said he was lured away from Fulham by the ambition of owner Tony Fernandes after completing a deadline day move to Loftus Road.

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Zamora, 31, sealed his transfer across west London late on Tuesday, completing a busy day of business for QPR, who signed French international Djibril Cisse just a few hours earlier.

Zamora said he had spoken to QPR's Malaysian tycoon owner Fernandes during negotiations which had helped persuade him to leave Craven Cottage.

"I've been lucky enough to speak to Tony (Fernandes) and (chief executive) Phil (Beard) relayed a lot of messages about where this club want to go," Zamora told the club's official website.

"The ambition of the club was certainly a drawing factor. For me it was quite an easy decision to be a part of this.

"The sky's the limit. We're looking to go forward and to grow and I want to be a part of that."

Zamora is also looking forward to working with QPR manager Mark Hughes having worked with the Welshman during his season-long stint with Fulham last year.

"I got on really well with the manager at Fulham," Zamora said. "We all grew to like Mark. I think that will be the case here."

Zamora undergoes QPR medical

Fulham striker Bobby Zamora is undergoing a medical at QPR but has yet to agree personal terms, Press Association Sport understands.

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The England international has been regularly linked with a January move away from the Cottagers and could now be set for a deadline-day move to Loftus Road.

Press Association Sport reported on Monday morning former Fulham manager Mark Hughes has made an approach to sign Zamora and the move has edged closer.

The Rs would fork out a fee understood to be between £4million and £5million for Zamora, who would join fellow frontman Djibril Cisse at the Hoops.

Cisse, the 30-year-old former Liverpool and Sunderland player, has returned to England after a spell at Lazio for a fee that Press Association Sport understands to be in the region of 5million euros (£4.18million).

QPR have confirmed that Cisse has signed a two-and-a-half-year deal at Loftus Road and has been registered in time to make his QPR debut at Aston Villa on Wednesday, subject to international clearance being received at least one hour before kick-off.

Transfer activity increases sharply as deadline looms

A flurry of last-minute transfers were being brokered across English football on Tuesday as clubs moved to bolster their squads in the final few hours of the January window.

Premier League side Sunderland completed a loan deal for out-of-favour Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge while struggling Queens Park Rangers confirmed the signing of French striker Djibril Cisse.

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Cisse, who currently plays for Lazio, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with QPR who were also being linked with a £5 million move for Fulham striker Bobby Zamora.

"I rate Djibril very very highly," Rangers boss Mark Hughes said. "I've watched him for many years and always been impressed by what he brings to the table. He was desperate to come here once we showed our interest in him and we can't wait to get the best out of him."

Meanwhile Everton confirmed a fee had been agreed with Scottish giants Rangers for Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic.

The 26-year-old international was seen at Everton's Finch Farm training complex where he was reportedly discussing personal terms and undergoing a medical following agreement of an £8 million fee.

"Everton can confirm a fee has been agreed with Rangers for the transfer of Croatian international Nikica Jelavic," Everton confirmed on their website ahead of the Toffees clash with Manchester City later Tuesday.

Jelavic has scored 36 goals in 55 matches for Rangers since joining from Rapid Vienna in 2010 but had been keen to pursue a career in English football.

Meanwhile Manchester United were set to finally part company with youngster Ravel Morrison, the highly rated 18-year-old youth player who has failed to establish himself at Old Trafford.

Morrison is regarded as one of the most promising youth players ever to pass through the Manchester United ranks but the club has reportedly lost patience amid ongoing problems in his private life.

Morrison was undergoing a medical with Championship side West Ham with a deal set to be concluded later Tuesday.

"The deal is not quite done yet but we are hopeful it will be completed," West Ham manager Sam Allardyce told the London Evening Standard.

"Ravel is a talented lad and if he really wants to be a player then we will help him as much as we can along the way.

"Perhaps a change of environment will be beneficial to him and help him make that step up to first team football quicker than perhaps would have been the case at Manchester United. There is no doubt he has exceptional talent."

Chelsea signed Belgium international Kevin de Bruyne from Genk although the midfielder will spend the rest of the season on loan with the Belgian club, the London club confirmed.

The 20-year-old's transfer deadline day capture means he becomes the latest Belgian player on Chelsea's books, joining compatriots Romelu Lukaku and Thibaut Courtois, currently on loan at Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill meanwhile said he hoped the capture of Bridge would solve the club's long-running vacancy at left-back.

The 31-year-old has played only 58 times for City since joining from Chelsea in 2009, and has appeared for the club just once this season.

"I'm hoping that with Wayne's undoubted experience and ability he can be a big help to the team until the end of the season," Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill told the club's official website.

Elsewhere West Brom signed defender Liam Ridgewell from Midlands rivals Birmingham, now in the second-tier Championship, for an undisclosed fee.

Accounting giants Deloitte meanwhile reported in an initial analysis of the January window that transfer spending had reached £35 million as of 0945 GMT on Tuesday, compared to £90 million at the same stage last year.

Cisse signs for QPR

QPR have completed the signing of Lazio striker Djibril Cisse, the Premier League club have announced.

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The 30-year-old former Liverpool and Sunderland player has returned to England for a fee that Press Association Sport understands to be in the region of 5million euros (£4.18million).

QPR have confirmed that Cisse has signed a two-and-a-half year deal at Loftus Road and has been registered in time to make his QPR debut at Aston Villa on Wednesday, subject to international clearance being received one hour before kick-off.

"I rate Djibril very, very highly," Rs manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website, qpr.co.uk.

"I've watched him for many years and always been impressed by what he brings to the table.

"He's a huge threat to oppositions' defences. He's got great pace, power and movement and that's something we will hopefully benefit from."

"QPR have a hugely ambitious project," said Cisse, who will wear the number 23 shirt. "When I talked to the manager, he spoke highly of the club and where he wants to take it over the next few years.

"He wanted to sign me at Manchester City and now I am finally here with him at QPR. He wants to achieve big things here

Cisse becomes Hughes' fourth signing since taking over as QPR manager from Neil Warnock following the arrivals of Samba Diakite, Taye Taiwo and Nedum Onuoha.

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda arrived on loan earlier this month during Warnock's reign

Hughes excited as Cisse signs for QPR

Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes believes he can relaunch Djibril Cisse's career after the French international striker completed his return to the Premier League on Tuesday.

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QPR confirmed in a statement that the 30-year-old was joining the club on a two-and-a-half year deal in the latest recruit to Hughes rebuilding project at Loftus Road.

Cisse, who has had previous spells in English football with Liverpool and Sunderland, heads to London from Serie A side Lazio in a deal reportedly worth around 5 million euros.

The speedy nature of negotiations has allowed Cisse - scorer of nine goals in his 41 international appearances - to be included in the squad for QPR's match against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

Hughes said in a statement he was relishing the opportunity of working with the French target man.

"I rate Djibril very, very highly," he said. "I've watched him for many years and always been impressed by what he brings to the table.

"He's a huge threat to opposition's defences. He's got great pace, power and movement and that's something we will hopefully benefit from.

"His goal record is there for everyone to see. He's scored goals wherever he's played. His record speaks for itself.

"He was desperate to come here once we showed our interest in him and we can't wait to get the best out of him."

Flurry of transfers as deadline looms

A flurry of last-minute transfers were being brokered across English football on Tuesday as clubs moved to bolster their squads in the final few hours of the January window.

Premier League side Sunderland completed a loan deal for out-of-favour Manchester City defender Wayne Bridge while struggling Queens Park Rangers confirmed the signing of French striker Djibril Cisse.

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Cisse, who currently plays for Lazio, has signed a two-and-a-half year deal with QPR who were also being linked with a £5 million move for Fulham striker Bobby Zamora.

"I rate Djibril very very highly," Rangers boss Mark Hughes said. "I've watched him for many years and always been impressed by what he brings to the table. He was desperate to come here once we showed our interest in him and we can't wait to get the best out of him."

Meanwhile Everton confirmed a fee had been agreed with Scottish giants Rangers for Croatian striker Nikica Jelavic.

The 26-year-old international was seen at Everton's Finch Farm training complex where he was reportedly discussing personal terms and undergoing a medical following agreement of an £8 million fee.

"Everton can confirm a fee has been agreed with Rangers for the transfer of Croatian international Nikica Jelavic," Everton confirmed on their website ahead of the Toffees clash with Manchester City later Tuesday.

Jelavic has scored 36 goals in 55 matches for Rangers since joining from Rapid Vienna in 2010 but had been keen to pursue a career in English football.

Meanwhile Manchester United were set to finally part company with youngster Ravel Morrison, the highly rated 18-year-old youth player who has failed to establish himself at Old Trafford.

Morrison is regarded as one of the most promising youth players ever to pass through the Manchester United ranks but the club has reportedly lost patience amid ongoing problems in his private life.

Morrison was undergoing a medical with Championship side West Ham with a deal set to be concluded later tuesday.

"The deal is not quite done yet but we are hopeful it will be completed," West Ham manager Sam Allardyce told the London Evening Standard.

"Ravel is a talented lad and if he really wants to be a player then we will help him as much as we can along the way.

"Perhaps a change of environment will be beneficial to him and help him make that step up to first team football quicker than perhaps would have been the case at Manchester United. There is no doubt he has exceptional talent."

Chelsea signed Belgium international Kevin de Bruyne from Genk although the midfielder will spend the rest of the season on loan with the Jupiler League team, the London club confirmed.

The 20-year-old's transfer deadline day capture means he becomes the latest Belgian player on Chelsea's books, joining compatriots Romelu Lukaku anmd Thibaut Courtois, currently on loan at Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill meanwhile said he hoped the capture of Bridge would solve the club's long-running vacancy at left-back.

The 31-year-old has played only 58 times for City since joining from Chelsea in 2009, and has appeared for the club just once this season.

"I'm hoping that with Wayne's undoubted experience and ability he can be a big help to the team until the end of the season," Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill told the club's official website.

Accounting giants Deloitte meanwhile reported in an initial analysis of the January window that transfer spending had reached £35 million as of 0945 GMT on Tuesday, compared to £90 million at the same stage last year.

Djibril Cisse leaves Lazio for QPR

France forward Djibril Cisse has said goodbye to Lazio after agreeing a deal to join Queens Park Rangers.

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The 30-year-old used the social networking site Twitter to confirm reports in the Italian press claiming the move was a done deal.

"I want to thank all the Lazio fans and everyone I've met in these months for their affection and support," he wrote in Italian.

"I'm sorry if I've been a disappointment for some people but I want to say that I've always given 100 percent."

Italian news agency Ansa had previously claimed that a five-million-euro deal to take him to the English Premier League had been agreed.

It comes just six months after he moved to Italy from Greece's Panathinaikos for 5.8 million euros.

The former Liverpool and Marseille forward initially started his Lazio career in fine form with four goals in his first month but he then went more than four months before scoring his fifth and final goal in sky blue in the Italian Cup last week.

By this point he had already lost his place in the team to Tommaso Rocchi, despite having created an excellent partnership with hot-shot Miroslav Klose earlier in the season.

QPR hold Zamora talks

QPR are in talks to sign Fulham striker Bobby Zamora, Press Association Sport understands.

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The England international has been regularly linked with a January move away from the Cottagers and could now be set for a deadline-day move to Loftus Road.

It is understood former Fulham manager Mark Hughes has made an approach to sign Zamora, although personal terms could prove a stumbling block.

There has been much speculation in recent months of a rift between Zamora and Cottagers boss Martin Jol. Although the pair have both played down such talk, speculation has been rife that the striker could move to pastures new.

QPR have often been mooted as a potential destination, with speculation heightened by the arrival of Hughes at Loftus Road.

Zamora played under the Welshman last season, scoring seven goals in 16 games in all competitions. The 31-year-old penned a new four-year deal at Craven Cottage during Hughes' reign, tying him to the west Londoners until 2014.

However, Hughes is hoping he can persuade the striker to move away once he has pushed through a deal for Lazio's Djibril Cisse.

The France international looks set to join for a fee understood to be five million euros (£4.18million) and QPR hope the deal can be completed in time for him to be registered to feature at Aston Villa tomorrow.

Nancy's Samba Diakite yesterday became Hughes' third signing since taking over from Neil Warnock following the arrival of AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo and Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha.

Manchester United striker Federico Macheda arrived on loan earlier this month during Warnock's reign.

Rangers complete Diakite deal

QPR have completed the signing of Nancy defensive midfielder Samba Diakite, the Premier League club have announced.

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French club Nancy indicated on Sunday night that the 23-year-old was on his way to Loftus Road and the Rs have now confirmed the Mali international's signature.

Diakite has joined on loan until the end of the season when QPR have the right to make the transfer permanent.

"Samba is a young player who has made an impression on French football," QPR manager Mark Hughes told the club's official website, www.qpr.co.uk. "There has been a lot of interest in him from top clubs in France so we have done really well to get him in.

"He is a good age, has got strength, power, can carry the ball and can score goals from midfield on occasions.

"He will give us more physical presence and athleticism in the middle of the park so he is going to be a good addition."

Diakite is currently on international duty at the African Nations Cup but flew to London for a medical on Sunday afternoon, with the required paperwork completed this lunchtime.

"It is a dream to join a Premier League club," Diakite said. "The board and the manager have big ambitions to achieve and I am delighted to join a club with such goals.

"I have always enjoyed watching English football and I can't wait to return from the African Nations Cup and give my all for the club. It is a very exciting move for me."

Diakite becomes manager Mark Hughes' third signing since taking over from Neil Warnock at Loftus Road, following the arrival of AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo and Manchester City's Nedum Onuoha. Manchester United striker Federico Macheda arrived on loan earlier this month during Warnock's reign.

Mata sends Blues through

Juan Mata's penalty helped Chelsea secure a 1-0 victory in a tempestuous FA Cup fourth-round tie at west London rivals QPR.

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Much of the build-up surrounded John Terry and Anton Ferdinand, who was spared having to shake the Chelsea skipper's hand after the Football Association gave permission to scrap the traditional pre-match ritual.

Terry was taunted throughout at Loftus Road but seemed unaffected by the abuse as the visitors edged through to the fifth round thanks to a soft-looking penalty, given when Clint Hill was adjudged to have brought down Daniel Sturridge.

QPR ready for return of Chelsea

Chelsea have plenty of reasons to want to avoid a repeat of their last trip to neighbours Queens Park Rangers when they return to Loftus Road on Saturday in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

The 1-0 defeat they suffered there on October 23 last year was a blow to their hopes of winning the Premier League and Andre Villas-Boas' side, who are currently in fourth place, finished the game with nine men following red cards to Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa.

The headlines were generated by captain John Terry however after it was alleged he had racially abused Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand during the game.

Terry strongly denied the accusation, which led to a police investigation and a court case that is due to begin at West London Magistrates' Court next week.

Terry and Ferdinand are both in line to start for their respective clubs on a day when extra security has been hired by Rangers, with Ferdinand reportedly mulling whether he should shake Terry's hand before kick-off.

Chelsea chairman Bruce Buck and Rangers owner Tony Fernandes took steps to calm the pre-match atmosphere this week by issuing a joint statement urging supporters not to make any chants of a racist nature.

"Discrimination has no place in football or society," it read. "Both clubs enjoy fantastic support. However we would remind fans that, while we want to hear their passion, hatred and abuse is not what being a fan of QPR or Chelsea is about.

"The clubs will work together with the police to ensure that anyone using discriminatory or inflammatory language is identified and that the strongest possible action is taken against them."

Rangers manager Mark Hughes was confident Ferdinand, the younger brother of Manchester United and England defender Rio Ferdinand, would be unfazed by the furore.

"He has not come to me and said 'Gaffer, I need to speak about this situation' so I don't think it has affected him at all to be perfectly honest," Hughes said.

"I will speak to him only to get it clear in my own mind where he is with it all. It would be silly not to do that. I will talk to him, but I don't think it's going to have any influence on my decision whether to pick him."

Hughes does have a number of options at the back should he decide to take Ferdinand out of the spotlight as Nedum Onuoha has joined from Manchester City in a deal believed to be worth £2.5million in time for a debut.

The 25-year-old had played at City when Hughes was manager there but had been largely ignored by current manager Roberto Mancini.

"This was the right time for me to join a club like QPR," he said. "The manager obviously played a massive factor in my decision to come here. I've worked with him before and he always wants players around him who are open and honest.

"He wouldn't have come here if he didn't believe that there was a squad of players here that can achieve the goals he has. The ambition of the owners was really appealing. This is my club now and I'll give everything to help us succeed."

FA the latest target for Barton

QPR captain Joey Barton unleashed an online tirade against the Football Association on Thursday, labelling them an 'Orwellian organisation' in need of a 'drastic shake-up'.

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The 29-year-old midfielder tweeted that he had received a warning letter from the FA for predicting the outcome of the weekend's matches involving Manchester United and Manchester City.

Barton claims he was warned the predictions could be seen as "insider information" and that he has received around 30 letters from the governing body. Beginning a series of tweets, he said: "Just received my weekly warning letter from FA headquarters, this time regarding me tweeting about predicting the weekend's Manchester double."

He continued: "According to the FA, I am not allowed to give my opinion of possible results in case that is seen as insider information. These people are so out of touch with reality it's untrue.

"What difference does my opinion of the outcome of a match have on the result? None. #rightinthebin"

He continued: "The strange thing is they have probably sent me 30 letters since I started tweeting. That's 30 pieces of paper wasted. Stop sending please.

"I'll prob get a letter about the last few tweets. That's how ridiculous it's become. Drastic shake-up needed to move the game into 21st century.

"Hopefully they stop trying to be an Orwellian organisation and get to grips with the change that's happening in the world around them.

"Don't understand how they can try to police a technology they understand very little about."

Barton is widely known for making outspoken comments via his Twitter account @Joey7Barton, which has more than 1.1million followers.

QPR complete Onuoha signing

English defender Nedum Onuoha has joined QPR from Manchester City on a four-and-a-half-year deal, the London club announced on Thursday.

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The 25-year-old Nigeria-born player came through City's youth ranks but was unable to force his way into Roberto Mancini's first XI.

He spent last season on loan at Sunderland, for whom he made 31 league appearances and scored a memorable solo goal in a 3-0 victory at Chelsea in November 2010.

QPR seal Taiwo loan deal

AC Milan left-back Taye Taiwo has completed his loan move to QPR for the rest of the season.

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The 26-year-old joined the Rossoneri from Marseille in the summer but has struggled for a regular first-team berth.

Taiwo, who can also operate in midfield, had been linked with a January move to injury-plagued Arsenal but has now joined QPR after securing a work permit, becoming Mark Hughes' first signing.

"It's a new and exciting challenge for me and one I am very much looking forward to," the Nigeria international told the club's official website,

"I'm very grateful to Mark Hughes for bringing me here. It is always nice for a player when you know the manager wants you and I will repay his faith in me.

"I can't wait to play for the club. I know only hard work, good performance, dedication, and passion will connect me with the fans but I'm prepared. I'm looking forward to what lies ahead and I'm prepared to give my all to the QPR cause."

The news will come as a relief to QPR, having seen moves for Brazilian duo Henrique and Alex fall through over the past 24 hours.

The former looked set for a move to Loftus Road until work permit problems halted the deal, while Press Association Sport understands Chelsea centre-back Alex will not be joining the Rs after failing to agree personal terms.

QPR are still hoping to tie a deal up for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha but, in the meantime, Hughes is relieved to complete the signing of Taiwo, and said: "I have known of him for a long time and admired him from afar," the QPR boss said.

"To get him now is a fantastic coup and a real statement of intent that we can attract the quality of player that he is. I am looking forward to working with him."

QPR foiled in signing young Brazilian star

Highly-rated Brazil Under-20 striker Henrique's move to English Premier League side QPR has been prevented after he failed to be granted a work permit on Monday.

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The 20-year-old Sao Paulo player is one of the most highly-rated young forwards in South America - he was the leading scorer at the World Youth Cup last year - and had long been expected to join a top European side.

It looked as if QPR had pulled off a coup when they agreed last week an initial 18-month loan deal, with a view to finalising a £5.5 million (6.6 million euros) acquisition in 2013.

However, the deal fell apart on Monday when he had his application for a work permit denied.

"He didn't get a work permit for various reasons," a QPR spokesman told Press Association Sport.

Among those reasons were the fact the player still has limited experience in club football, and because he has not yet made his debut for the senior Brazil team.

Hughes relaxed over Barton

Mark Hughes insists he has no problem with Joey Barton tweeting, but has warned the QPR captain that he will have to step in if his actions compromise dressing room harmony at Loftus Road.

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Barton used Twitter to label former manager Neil Warnock "embarrassing" after he claimed people from inside and outside of the club tweeting owner Tony Fernandes helped "poison" his reputation and led to his sacking two weeks ago.

Barton's tirade came less than 24 hours before Saturday's 3-1 win over Wigan, but Hughes did not speak to the midfielder and has no current plans to ask him to tone down his controversial tweets. Asked if he was concerned about Barton's actions, Hughes said: "No, not at this stage."

He added: "Joey understands what happens in the dressing room stays there and I don't think it will be a problem."

However, Hughes stressed the need for his squad to stick together to keep out of the relegation zone, and warned Barton that any messages which damage squad unity will not be tolerated.

"If ever I felt that it was going to compromise us then we'd have a conversation and talk it through, but certainly I haven't felt the need to do that up to this point," said Hughes.

Barton played through jeers from the travelling Wigan fans as QPR moved out of the bottom three thanks to strikes from Heidar Helguson, Akos Buzsaky and Tommy Smith.

Barton, who returned to the side after a three-match suspension, has been no stranger to controversy and Hughesbacked the 29-year-old to deal with any flak that comes his way.

"He's a big personality and he can deal with that, he thrives on it," Hughes said. "Some players carry that well, carry it on their shoulders and it doesn't affect them at all.

"I thought he played really well. Other players try to shy away from all that because it affects their performance level. But for Joey it's water off a duck's back."

QPR agree fee for Onuoha

QPR have had an offer accepted for Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha, Press Association Sport understands.

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The 25-year-old has been little more than a fringe player at City and could now link up with former manager Mark Hughes at Loftus Road.

It is understood a fee between £2.5million and £2.75million has been agreed for the defender, who now has permission to speak to the west Londoners.

There had been reports of a £3million fee and wages of up to £80,000 per week, but it is understood that Onuoha would earn significantly less than reported.

While an offer has been accepted for the former Sunderland loanee, a deal is by no means done as he considers whether he wants to move south.

Relief for Hughes as QPR end FA Cup jinx

Mark Hughes registered the first win of his reign at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday as the Premier League strugglers ended their 11-year FA Cup jinx to beat MK Dons 1-0.

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A powerful Danny Gabbidon header settled a scrappy game at Loftus Road, with QPR now advancing to a dream tie against west London neighbours Chelsea in the fourth round later this month.

But Rangers, who had forced a replay with a late equaliser in the first meeting between the clubs, were made to work all the way for a win which exposed the scale of the task facing new manager Hughes.

Gabbidon's winner came against the run of play on 73 minutes, the Welsh defender rising to meet Shaun Wright-Phillips' corner with a firm header which flew past Dons keeper David Martin.

It was the first time QPR have reached the FA Cup fourth round since 2001, and only the club's second home win of the 2011/2012 campaign.

"I think there was a lack of sharpness as a consequence of playing Sunday and Tuesday -- we looked a bit leggy at times, but we stuck at it and in the end we got our noses in front and were able to close it out," Hughes said.

"But we know we can play a lot better than that. I've seen things in the two games that have pleased me. But there are areas where we need to improve and improve quickly.

"Given the run the team has been on, perhaps there is a lack of confidence in each other. The desire is there for everyone to see, but we can improve."

Elsewhere, relegation-threatened Premier League side Bolton had little difficulty in dispatching League Two outfit Macclesfield, from the fourth tier of English football, with a 2-0 win at the Reebok Stadium.

Macclesfield had come within a whisker of a famous upset when the first meeting between the two sides ended in a 2-2 draw, but Wanderers were in no mood for a repeat performance in Tuesday's replay.

Kevin Davies put Bolton 1-0 up with a goal in the first minute before Martin Petrov extended Bolton' lead on 26 minutes. Bolton will now play Swansea in the fourth round.

Leicester cruised to a comfortable 4-0 victory over fellow Championship side Nottingham Forest, Jermaine Beckford netting a hat-trick as the Foxes advanced to a fourth round meeting with Swindon.

Leicester were set on the path to victory after an own goal from George Boateng after only seven minutes following a low cross from Lloyd Dyer.

Beckford made it 2-0 on the half hour mark, heading in off the underside of the bar after a swift break out left Forest struggling to cover.

Beckford then scored two goals in seven minutes to complete his hat-trick early in the second half as Leicester piled on the agony for Forest, who are currently languishing in the Championship relegation zone.

Millwall meanwhile bounced back from their 6-0 home drubbing by Birmingham last weekend with a 5-0 win over League Two side Dagenham & Redbridge, Darius Henderson grabbing a hat-trick.

Henderson opened the scoring for the Lions on seven minutes before Tottenham loan player Harry Kane effectively settled the contest in Millwall's favour with a 20-yard effort near half-time to make it 2-0.

Henderson added a third on 59 minutes and then coolly slotted home a penalty four minutes later to seal his hat-trick and make it 4-0.

Kane then bagged his second of the night, and Millwall's fifth, on 65 minutes as the rout continued.

Millwall's reward for the victory is a fourth round tie at home to Championship pace-setters Southampton.