Barton in City squad for Everton trip

Disgraced midfielder Joey Barton will be in Manchester City’s squad for the Boxing Day trip to Everton.

The 22-year-old midfielder was yesterday fined six weeks’ wages for his cigar attack on team-mate Jamie Tandy at the players’ Christmas party on Sunday.

But manager Kevin Keegan feels the matter has been dealt with and sees no reason to omit Barton from the trip to Merseyside.

Keegan also confirmed that Ben Thatcher will be involved at some stage over the Christmas period following the Welsh defender’s recovery from ankle surgery, although the full-back will not feature against David Moyes’ high fliers.

Team (from): James, Waterreus, Mills, Onuoha, Sommeil, Distin, Dunne, Jordan, Flood, S Wright-Phillips, Barton, Bosvelt, Sibierski, Anelka, Fowler, Macken, B Wright-Phillips, Negouai.