Sheffield Wednesday enter Joey Barton race

Sheffield Wednesday manager Dave Jones has reportedly declared an interest in signing Joey Barton on loan.

The 29-year-old Queens Park Rangers midfielder will miss the first 12 matches of the new season as a result of a punishment from the Football Association for his conduct on the final day of the Premier League season against Manchester City.

QPR have also stripped the former Newcastle United man of the club's captaincy, which is said to have left Barton open to move away from Loftus Road.

A switch to the Championship - the league in which Wednesday play - would be more beneficial to the ex-England international due to the volume of games played in that division.

That has alerted boss Jones, who is looking to bolster his midfield options, according to The People.

League rivals Blackburn Rovers and Nottingham Forest are also believed to be interested.