Queens Park Rangers: 'Joey Barton staying put'

Queens Park Rangers chief executive Philip Beard has insisted that the club are not looking to sell captain Joey Barton.

Reports this morning had suggested that new QPR boss Mark Hughes had decided that Barton was not in his long-term plans.

However, Beard has revealed that the 29-year-old midfielder is very much part of the project at Loftus Road.

"I can categorically tell you there's been no discussions in the time I've spent with Mark or his team this week about anyone leaving," said Beard. "[Barton] is the captain, he came in the summer and is part of the building work we want to do.

"He has been fantastic in my six months at the club."

Barton joined Rangers during the summer on a free transfer from Newcastle United.