Last week Ferdinand was the subject of an alleged racial slur by John Terry in QPR's 1-0 win over their west London rivals at Loftus Road.

It was announced on Tuesday that Terry, who denies the allegations, will be the subject of a Football Association (FA) investigation into the claims, and Ferdinand has been the focus of intense media scrutiny this week as a result.

Warnock deemed the 26-year-old to be psychologically ready to play in this afternoon's derby at White Hart Lane, which Rangers lost thanks to a Rafael van der Vaart strike and a brace from Gareth Bale.

Despite seeing his team lose in what was largely a one-sided affair, Warnock heaped praise on Ferdinand and insisted the FA investigation has had no impact on his team's preparation or performance today.

"I thought he (Ferdinand) was head and shoulders above everyone else - the man of the match," Warnock said.

"I don't think he made a mistake. He hasn't put a foot wrong since he came here. "He definitely has the potential to play at the top level and England.

"It was a great performance from him today.

"Did I think that (the race row) affected Ferdinand today? Not at all. He was absolutely magnificent. It doesn't affect us at all.

"It speaks volumes about his character, absolutely."

The FA will continue their investigation into the race row this week, but Warnock does not envisage the saga affecting his team's efforts on the pitch.

"We have moved on already," the Rangers boss said

"It's not our problem. I don't see the time frame of it all really.

"I have a day off tomorrow. I am going to go in the park and have a ride on my bike, I won't be thinking of anything but the deer tomorrow."

Bale opened the scoring for Spurs in the 20th minute with a sweet drive past Paddy Kenny before Van der Vaart made it 2-0 just after the half hour when he collected Ledley King's wayward shot and lashed home.

The strike - the Dutchman's 12th of the season - meant Van der Vaart equalled the club's record of scoring in five successive Barclays Premier League games.

Jay Bothroyd frayed the home fans' nerves with 28 minutes left by nodding past Brad Friedel, but Bale sealed the win soon after with a brilliant curling shot that came after a neat exchange with Aaron Lennon on the edge of the box.

Spurs, who are now level on points with fourth-placed Newcastle, played some of their best football of the season, according to boss Harry Redknapp.

"In the first half we were fantastic, the way that we shifted the ball, the movement was great," he said.

"I could hear them [QPR] arguing in their dressing room and it was all kicking off at half-time.

"I thought that they would have a go second half and they did, but they only pulled it back to 2-1 and Bale took a great goal to finish them off."

Bale may take all the plaudits, but Scott Parker was rightly named man of the match for a tireless performance in the centre of midfield.

Tottenham have dropped just two points since Parker moved across London from West Ham - something which Redknapp feels has not happened by chance.

"That's no coincidence at all," Redknapp said. "This summer I said to the chairman that I want one player at this club (Parker)," he said.

"People don't understand that it is not always about £25million-30million superstars, sometimes it is about having good characters in your club.

"I said 'what he will give you on the pitch from now in the next four years is worth the weight in gold', and that has been proved."