Peter Reid: Queens Park Rangers should axe Joey Barton

Former Queens Park Rangers midfielder Peter Reid believes that the West London club should wash their hands of controversial captain Joey Barton.

The 29-year-old was slapped with a 12-match ban from the Football Association for acts of violent conduct during the club's 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on the last day of the Premier League campaign.

"If I were Mark Hughes I would get rid of [Barton]," Reid told talkSPORT. "I think the kid's an idiot. He's had so many chances, I don't think you can keep helping people. He's got to start helping himself."

Barton was sanctioned with an automatic four-match suspension after seeing red for elbowing Carlos Tevez in the thrilling clash, while an extra eight-game ban was added on after the midfielder kicked Sergio Aguero and appeared to headbutt Vincent Kompany after he was given his marching orders.