Barton: Marseille move off

Joey Barton claims his reported move from QPR to Marseille has fallen through.

The 29-year-old midfielder is currently without a squad number at Loftus Road having been served with a 12-match Football Association suspension following his sending off at Manchester City last season. Manager Mark Hughes also stripped the one-time England international of the captaincy and, as a result, talk of a surprise move to France surfaced.

But it now appears the transfer may have hit the rocks after Barton tweeted on Tuesday morning: "Doesn't look like this Marseille thing is gonna happen now. 'Whatever doesn't kill you make you stronger' #heartbroken. Why can't things just be simple..."

Having criticised Hughes and been ostracised from the first-team squad, former Manchester City and Newcastle man Barton will now return to training with Rangers but he could find himself in further hot water after adding: "Been forced to go back training with the kids and fellow Taliban members at 2pm today...

"Maybe this is time to dumb down and be dishonest. It seems to take you a long way in this game... "

QPR have declined to comment.