Barton training with Clarets

Former midfielder Joey Barton is training at Burnley once more, Clarets boss Sean Dyche has confirmed.  The experienced Barton was Burnley’s player of the year last season as they secured a return to the Premier League.  However, he then opted to take on a new challenge by moving to Scotland to join Rangers as they embarked on their return to top-flight football north of the border.

Barton’s stint at Ibrox was to prove short-lived. He only managed eight appearances for the Light Blues before he was suspended following a training ground argument with manager Mark Warburton in the wake of the 5-1 Glasgow derby loss to Celtic in September.

His contract was later terminated by Rangers and Barton left Scotland after less than four months.

He’s just enjoying being back and getting fit and sharp again. I’ll take that on as and when I see fit.

Sean Dyche

Dyche has confirmed that 34-year-old is now back at Burnley’s training base. While he has not joined up with the first-team squad that he left in the summer, Dyche does not appear to be ruling out such a move come the January window.

“I said last week that if he needed us then we’d help him and he’s been training with us. That’s mainly background fitness work with our sports science team and that’s all that is until something changes,” Dyche told reporters.

“I don’t plan to speak to him about anything at the moment. He’s just enjoying being back and getting fit and sharp again. I’ll take that on as and when I see fit.”

Former Manchester City, Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers midfielder Barton, who has one England cap to his name, was outstanding for Burnley last season in the Championship.

He made 38 appearances as the Clarets won the title and returned to the Premier League in style.

Burnley have made a solid start to this season, winning four of their 12 league games to date to leave them 12th in the table. They are now 11/10 to be relegated back to the Championship at season’s end.

They’ve won their two most recent games at Turf Moor but face a stern test on Saturday when Manchester City arrive. Burnley are 17/2 to win, with City 2/7 and the draw 9/2.

View all Soccer betting Bet365

Source: Bet365