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Joey Barton claims he would have won 100 international caps - had he qualified for one of the other home nations.

Barton made his first and only England appearance as a late substitute in a 1-0 defeat to Spain at Old Trafford in 2007.

But the QPR captain believes his time on the international stage could have lasted longer, were he playing for another nation.

"Realistically, if I was Northern Irish, Welsh, Scottish, I am getting 100 caps," he told BBC Radio 5 live.

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"That's the reality, I would have 100 caps for sure.

"But because I'm English, I wouldn't get them. That's the difference.

"You think, 'How many players barring Bale, in the other home nation squads, would get in the England national team?'"

Later on in the programme, Barton retracted his comments, adding: "I'll have to qualify that statement.

(Image: Nigel Roddis)

"I've just looked at Robbie Savage and Robbie got 39 Wales caps - so I probably would have only got 94-95 Wales caps. I take that back."

Barton and QPR face a must-win encounter this weekend when they travel to the Hawthorns to face West Brom.

Chris Ramsey's men have lost their last five matches and are four points from safety with eight games to go.

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