Distin backs Barton to become ‘a better man’

MANCHESTER City skipper Sylvain Distin believes Joey Barton will emerge ‘a better man’ and ‘an improved player’ after his disgraceful fracas in Thailand.

Barton, 22, is due to return to the first-team fold for Saturday’s friendly against Olympiakos having completed a lifestyle coaching course under orders from manager Stuart Pearce.

If the former England U21 international does turn out against the Greek champions, it will be his first appearance for City since an incident with a 15-year-old Everton fan in a Bangkok hotel bar, resulting in him turning his anger towards team-mate Richard Dunne when the Irishman tried to intervene.