Richard Dunne hopes Joey Barton has Queens Park Rangers future

Queens Park Rangers defender Richard Dunne has admitted that he has not given up hope of playing with Joey Barton at Loftus Road next season.

Dunne completed a free transfer to the Championship side earlier this week, penning a one-year contract with Harry Redknapp's side.

The 33-year-old played alongside Barton during his time at Manchester City and has insisted that the midfielder can still prove his worth on the pitch for QPR if called upon.

He told The Sun: "He's had problems but on the pitch he's a winner.

"If he is still here, which hopefully he is, then he will be a big asset for the club."

Barton has not joined QPR on a pre-season tour of Austria, which continues tonight with a friendly against Serie A side Udinese.