Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has insisted that he will not "attack" former Everton goalkeeper Neville Southall, who likened him to Forrest Gump.

Southall warned the Toffees against signing the former Newcastle United midfielder, who is said to be keen on moving to his boyhood club.

Following Southall's comments, Barton wrote on twitter: "Big @NevilleSouthall has given it to me I see. Gutted, he was one of my hero's growing up. Best keeper in the world at 1 stage.

"Am not getting after him. Regardless, of what he thinks of me. I will always have the utmost respect for the player he was. #legend

"I aint gonna attack Big Nev, f*** that. If he thinks I'm Forest Gump, sound. I'm just made up he knows who I am. I loved him as a player."

Barton spent last season on loan at Marseille.