Queens Park Rangers are set to loan Joey Barton to the Championship in an attempt to run down his 12-game suspension at the start of next season.

Barton was handed a lengthy ban following his dismissal against Manchester City on the final day of last season and has been stripped of the captaincy at Loftus Road.

The greater volume of league games over the early part of the campaign in the Championship means the 29-year-old midfielder could be available for QPR by November.

Blackburn are reportedly leading the race for Barton, while Nottingham Forest have also expressed an interest.