West Ham captain Kevin Nolan has urged Newcastle United misfit Joey Barton to join the club.

Barton was placed on the transfer list and told he could leave Newcastle on a free transfer after a series of outspoken comments about the club on Twitter.

Barton has been linked with a move to Upton Park and former team-mate Nolan thinks he should follow him to the Championship.

Nolan told the Daily Mirror: "I came here so I can't see why Joey Barton wouldn't come here.

"He's probably looking for an escape the way he's been treated. He knows I'm here, he knows Sam's here and what we are about.

"I can look after him and he can look after me."