Rio axed from QPR squad

London - Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand and midfielder Joey Barton were among six players released by Queens Park Rangers on Wednesday following their relegation from the Premier League.

The pair, along with striker Bobby Zamora, defender Richard Dunne, winger Shaun Wright-Phillips and goalkeeper Brian Murphy, have not been offered new contracts and will leave when their current deals expire on June 30.

Barton, Dunne and Zamora played a full part in QPR's season, but Ferdinand, whose wife, Rebecca Ellison, died from cancer earlier this month, managed just 12 appearances following his move from United last year.

"The club would like to thank all the players for their contribution to QPR and wish them every success in the future," QPR said in a statement on their website.

On-loan quartet Mauricio Isla, Eduardo Vargas, Niko Kranjcar and Mauro Zarate have returned to their parent clubs, respectively Juventus, Napoli, Dynamo Kiev and West Ham United.

However, veteran defender Clint Hull, 36, and midfielder Alejandro Faurlin, whose contracts are due to expire, have been offered new deals to remain at the club.

Midfielder Karl Henry has until the end of June to exercise an option enabling him to extend his contract by a year.

Promoted from the Championship in 2014, QPR finished bottom of the Premier League, with manager Harry Redknapp stepping down in February and being succeeded by academy head Chris Ramsey.

Ramsey was named manager on a permanent basis last week.