Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton has claimed that he should have been included in the England squad for the upcoming friendlies against Spain and Sweden.

The 29-year-old, who has won just one previous cap back in 2007, has said that there are no better midfielders currently playing in the Premier League than him.

"Fabio said he was going to pick the side on form when he came in, that was one of the prerequisites of getting the job," Barton told Sky Sports News.

"I can't think of seven English-born midfielders that over the 12 to 18 months that have played more consistently than me.

"Obviously there are a lot of them without the baggage that is perceived to come with me. I'm not going to cry about it and I don't surmise anyone in the England set-up will."

Barton joined the R's over the summer following a dispute with the board at Newcastle United.