Barton set for City place

Joey Barton is in line for a Manchester City recall against Olympiacos on Saturday after making a surprise appearance for the Blues reserve team last night.

The former England Under-21 international has not played for City since his bar-room bust-up with team-mate Richard Dunne in Thailand last month.

He was put on a lifestyle coaching course by manager Stuart Pearce and told he would not be considered for selection until he had completed it.

In addition, Barton has also had to cope with the search for his brother Michael by Merseyside Police in connection with the murder of Anthony Walker in Huyton last Friday.

Despite the obvious mental turmoil, Barton decided he was in a fit state to face Conference outfit Burton Albion in a second-string friendly last night and completed the full 90 minutes alongside fellow first-teamer Jihai Sun in a 3-2 defeat.

Barton’s appearance, the first full game he has started in almost two weeks, should allow him to return for the Thomas Cook Trophy clash with Olympiacos at Eastlands this weekend as City complete their preparations for the new campaign.

Pearce already knows he will be without Dunne for three months as a result of the brawl, which saw Barton ordered home in shame, but with Antoine Sibierski, Robbie Fowler and Nedum Onuoha all doubtful for the Premiership opener against West Brom on August 13, Pearce, despite his extreme annoyance at the incident, does not have enough bodies to leave the errant midfielder sitting in the stands.