City boss Pearce considered sacking Barton

MANCHESTER City considered sacking Joey Barton in the aftermath of his Bangkok hotel bar brawl.

Barton will make his first senior appearance for City today since being sent home in disgrace from Thailand, when he attacked a schoolboy Everton fan and then became involved in a scrap with team-mate Richard Dunne, who was attempting to restore order.

After being fined six weeks wages, Barton was also banned from training until he agreed to attend a lifestyle coaching course.

But manager Stuart Pearce admits the punishment could have been far worse, with the sack among the range of penalties that were considered.

“You consider everything, every option available,” revealed Pearce.

Meanwhile City have ended their interest in Fulham midfielder Steed Malbranque, after having £4m and £5m bids turned down.