QPR captain Joey Barton has backed teammate Matt Phillips to earn an international call-up from the Scotland national team.

The 24-year old winger has two Scotland caps, earned back in 2012 and 2013, but later fell out of favour with the Scots due to a lack of playing time at club level.

However, his latest form for the R's has been superb and he now has seven assists and two goals in the current calendar year.

Barton told the London Evening Standard: "Matt has been playing as well as anyone in the League and he has for the last month. If he keeps playing well it'll be a matter of time before he gets in the Scottish side.

"He didn't play that much at the start and every player needs to play to showcase what they're about. Matt's a fantastic talent. If he keeps doing that he can't do anymore.

"It'd be a big boost for him to be called up for Scotland again but, to be honest from a selfish point of view, I don't care what he does for them.

"I'm happy he stays with us and stays fit and I can do without him going away on international duty so hopefully Gordon (Strachan) avoids him for a bit longer. Maybe next season if we're safe he can call him up."