Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton cannot understand why teammate Charlie Austin was left out for the England national team for the latest international round of fixtures.

Austin continued his brilliant run of form in front of goal by grabbing his 16th Premier League strike of the season in QPR's 4-1 victory over West Bromwich Albion on Saturday.

Despite his wonderful goalscoring exploits this season though, the striker was overlooked by England manager Roy Hodgson for the clashes against Lithuania and Italy during the past fortnight and QPR midfielder Barton simply cannot fathom why such a decision was taken by the Three Lions' boss.

Barton said, "England is what it is. It helps if you play for certain clubs to play for England. Certain people who haven't done as well as Charlie, who has scored so many goals in a struggling side, seem to be shoe-ins in the England side.

"Charlie has scored 16 Premier League goals in a struggling side. Harry is a good player but he's playing for a good side that, by the way, has invested a lot of money."