QPR boss Mark Hughes holds the future of Joey Barton in his hands.

The Sunday Express says Hughes will be asked if he wants to keep the problem player, who has been banned for 12 games and fined £75,000 after being sent off at Manchester City on the last day of the Premier League season.

If Hughes gives the thumbs down, Barton faces being shown the exit from Loftus Road after an internal inquiry. A decision is unlikely before next month, even though the club's wealthy backers are believed to be disgusted by the disgraced star's conduct.