Barton fires warning to City

Queens Park Rangers captain Joey Barton is out to scupper former club Manchester City's Premier League dreams.

The midfielder returns to his previous home on Sunday's final day of the season with a chance to have a major say in the title race.

A win for City will see them win the title for the first time in 44 years barring an unlikely landslide of goals for Manchester United at Sunderland.

Barton, who left City in 2007, has warned that any complacency from Roberto Mancini's champions-elect will be severely punished.

"I can't wait for the game. I can't wait to go to Man City," said Barton. "They expect us to turn up and them to probably stuff us and win the league.

"If that is their attitude, they will get a reality check. It's 11 men against 11, there is a lot of pressure out there. I can't wait for it."

QPR are themselves fighting to stay in the Premier League but have won three of their last five games to mean they only need a point to survive.

Part of Mark Hughes' side's resurgence came without Barton after he was dropped and he admits he benefits from criticism.

"I'm a weird, weird, peculiar individual," Barton said. "If people praise me, I don't get the best out of myself. I only get the best out of myself when people say I'm not good.

"I'm one of those players who needs a rocket up my backside."