Barton captains QPR against Toon

Manager Neil Warnock has taken the surprise decision to hand Joey Barton the QPR captaincy on his debut in tonight’s clash against the midfielder’s previous club, Newcastle.

Barton is one of five debutants among the R’s starting XI, with Armand Traore, Luke Young, Shaun Wright-Phillips and Anton Ferdinand also making their bow for the club.

Shola Ameobi replaces Peter Lovenkrands in the only change for Newcastle as they looked to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.

QPR: Kenny, Young, Ferdinand, Gabbidon, Traore, Barton, Derry, Faurlin, Wright-Phillips, Bothroyd, Taarabt.

Subs: Murphy, Hall, Campbell, Buzsaky, Connolly, Smith, Puncheon.

Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Ryan Taylor, Obertan, Cabaye, Tiote, Gutierrez, Best, Shola Ameobi.

Subs: Elliot, Santon, Guthrie, Lovenkrands, Ba, Marveaux, Sammy Ameobi.

Referee: Phil Dowd.