The warmth shown him by QPR fans is a major reason why Joey Barton wants to re-sign for the club.

The captain insists rumours linking him with a permanent return to Marseille are wide of the mark, and despite a ‘rollercoaster’ ride at Rangers, as he put it, he wants his stint in Hoops to have impact.

“I want to know it means something,” he added. “Over the last 18 months I’ve found a place where there’s a mutual respect between myself and the fans, and a lot of credit goes to them for being open minded.

“I am still of the belief that if you're part of a team that goes down, you should try to help them back up. But that decision is not mine, and I honestly don’t know whether I will stay or go.

“I’m here four years down the line pondering whether that has come to fruition, and it will be something to think about if an offer comes my way. If there’s an offer on the table, I would certainly consider it.

“One way or the other I have fond memories of being at QPR.”

Chris Ramsey feels encouraged that Barton stated his obligation to return Hoops to the Premier League after being part of the unit that saw them leave it.

The Rs coach added: “Joey made a good comment about taking the club down but bringing it back up.”

However, the out-of-contract midfielder is believed to be on a reported £65,000-a-week after featuring in a final 24th defeat of the season at Leicester, see gallery.

If his agent is asking the same salary as was apparently demanded of Marseille to re-sign for his loan club in 2012-13, then Barton is going to be out of luck.