Joey Barton – I would be in England squad if I behaved

Controversial QPR midfielder Joey Barton insists he would have been included in England’s Euro 2012 squad if he could stay out of trouble.

In his latest Twitter rant, Barton slammed England manager Roy Hodgson for calling-up Jordan Henderson for the finals after Frank Lampard’s injury and claimed he deserved a place in the squad ahead of the Liverpool midfielder.

But Barton will serve a 12-match ban at the start of next season after his sending-off against Manchester City on the final day of last season and he knows that kind of behaviour gave him no chance of being selected.

The 29-year-old, who elbowed Carlos Tevez before reacting to the red card by kicking Sergio Aguero and aiming a headbutt at Vincent Kompany, has been involved in a series of controversial incidents on and off the pitch throughout his troubled career.

He was also recently bailed by police after being arrested following a fight outside a Liverpool nightclub.

Barton, who won one England cap against Spain in 2007, wrote on Twitter: “Why are people giving me loads (of abuse) about England saying ‘cant get in squad etc’.

“On ability I walk into the squad, on behaviour I don’t... fact.

“If Henderson got in, any Englishman not currently in the squad has to feel aggrieved. Yes, I wish I was there but I’m not.”