Barton set for second chance at West Brom

JOEY BARTON could be handed a chance at instant redemption as Manchester City look to make it third time lucky against the Premiership’s basement boys at Eastlands today.

A week of misery for the midfielder which started with an ill-advised cigar-thrusting attack on team-mate Jamie Tandy, included the loss of a minimum four weeks’ wages and a severe reprimand from Blues chairman John Wardle, ended with Barton being dumped to the bench for Sunday’s defeat at boyhood idols Everton.

With Barton sidelined, it was left to Robbie Fowler to ignite the Goodison Park faithful.