Ex-Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton says he had mercenary motivations when he joined Queens Park Rangers.

After a bust up with then owner Mike Ashley, Barton left Newcastle in 2011 on a free transfer.

However, Bristol Rovers boss Barton now admits he has huge affection for Newcastle, and regrets moving to QPR.

Speaking on Robbie Fowler's podcast, Barton stated: “QPR is probably my least favourite (of my ex-clubs). I didn't really enjoy it, I shouldn't have gone in hindsight.

“I left Newcastle and I fell out with Mike Ashley and I was looking for a new home and I was about to start a new family and it became, 'who is the highest bidder?' I knew I was a mercenary at that point in terms of I wasn't moving to push on and push up the table. I knew I was moving as a financial decision.

“So QPR was tough, the fans didn't particularly like me and I've still got 80 percent of the fanbase who don't like me because I earned a lot of money, even though I turned it around in the end and captained them to promotion. Probably, for me, Newcastle was the closest connection to the fans I had."