QPR midfielder Joey Barton is undertaking his coaching badges with the Irish FA.

The Daily Mail says Barton has taken his first steps on the path to becoming a football coach by enrolling in a UEFA A licence course being run by the Irish FA in Belfast next week.

Barton, 30, has signed up for the nine-day course at Stranmillis University College and Newforge Lodge in Belfast along with Irish players like David Healy and Aaron Hughes.