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Joey Barton's captaincy at Queens Park Rangers is in the balance after his red card at Hull last weekend.

Mirror Sport understands questions have been raised behind the scenes over midfielder Barton's temperament to lead the London club in their fight against relegation.

Hoops owner Tony Fernandes is a big Barton fan and boss Chris Ramsey remains supportive of the player. But other prominent figures are not.

Barton, 32, has accepted responsibility and made an extensive apology his dismissal, for striking Hull's Tom Huddlestone in the groin. It came as he tried to protect young defender Darnell Furlong.

The QPR players, however, believe his lack of control cost them the chance of a confidence-boosting result after their first away win of the season at Sunderland 11 days earlier.

In pictures: Last weekend in the Premier League

Even with ten men, Rangers managed to draw themselves level with Hull but the west Londoners went on to lose the game.

They are one place above the drop zone with 12 games to go, but are only ahead of 18th-placed Burnley and second-bottom Aston Villa on goal difference.

Barton's dismissal was the ninth of his career.

The midfielder had already gone into the contest at the KC Stadium on a Premier League record run of seven consecutive yellow cards.

He admitted afterwards: "I've let my team-mates down and being someone who puts the team above everything else I'm gutted about that."

But Charlie Austin laid bare his own feelings, which are understood to be shared by others in the dressing room.

Striker Austin said: "He's an important player for us, he's our captain. There's only so many times you can say sorry."

Barton will miss the home matches against Arsenal and Tottenham, as well as a potentially crucial away game against Crystal Palace.