The 28-year-old is in the final year of his contract at St James' Park and was recently made available for a free transfer after criticising the club's recruitment policy via his Twitter account.

It emerged yesterday that Barton was in talks with QPR and last night the midfielder tweeted that he was having a medical at the club.

But while the deal seems to be progressing nicely, Warnock refuted talk that anything has been completed.

"I don't think you can say that about any deal really until people sign," he said.

"I am not getting my hopes up one way or another. We've made him a very good offer and I think Joey appreciates that.

"Although I hope Joey doesn't think we're going to pay him what some of the papers said we were going to pay him this morning.

"I think you always want to get them completed as soon as possible.

"I would like to bring in a couple before the weekend and that is what I am going to try and do."

QPR will receive the results of Barton's medical this morning and the player will see the club doctor at some point today.

Warnock is hoping their are no snags in the deal so that Barton can feature in Saturday's clash at Wigan.

"I think we're lucky to be looking at a player like that," he said.

"It shows how ambitious the chairman (Tony Fernandes) is. He listened to the players I would like to bring in and Joey was one of them.

"We've just got down the line and we hope to bring in another four or five before next Wednesday night."

He added: "Joey will be an outstanding player week in, week out.

"He is a super player and I've always like him. He knows that.

"I tried to sign him a couple of times, once at Sheffield United."

Earlier this morning, Barton's agent Willie McKay confirmed Warnock`s long-standing admiration for Barton and said he had been attempting to sign him since the club won the npower Championship.

"After Queens Park Rangers got promoted Neil Warnock called me and asked me the situation with Joey and of course, when Joey was rewarded with a free transfer by Newcastle he came on right away," McKay told Sky Sports News.

"Joey spoke to (chief executive) Phil Beard and spoke to (chairman) Tony Fernandes, via phone and liked what he had to say and I am sure there is going to be a few more signings for Queens Park Rangers.

"Obviously it is a big wrench for Joey [to leave Newcastle] as he loved it up there and obviously he will miss all the supporters and all his team-mates.

"Time moves on, you just have to move on. Newcastle have got their plans and Joey has got his.

"Joey is very confident he can do very, very well for Queens Park Rangers I think he is a top signing for them."