Wolves were today considering whether to respond to Joey Barton’s latest rant after he accused former Molineux skipper Karl Henry of “trying to hurt people”.

Barton hit out after a tackle on him by Henry as tempers frayed at the end of Saturday’s 3-0 defeat to QPR.

The challenge went unpunished by referee Anthony Taylor but it enraged Barton, who kicked the treatment room door as he walked through the tunnel area, although no damage has been reported.

And his response has yet again meant he has become the talking point.

Privately, many at the club hold Barton in contempt and senior officials believe responding would merely give the controversial midfielder’s comments more publicity.

But chief executive Jez Moxey and boss Mick McCarthy are discussing whether to respond to Barton’s comments.

The FA today indicated they are unlikely to punish Barton.

“Kelvin (sic) Henry – he loves it, doesn’t he?” said Barton.

“Always sticking his foot in and trying to hurt people. Why doesn’t he do it when it is 0-0? He is chirping up all week saying he is going to do X, Y and Z to me and then he lets himself down massively by not even turning up on Saturday afternoons.

“He should concentrate more on playing and less on talking a good game.

“Everything I read from him, I really don’t like him.

“I know from his challenges on me that he doesn’t like me.”