Barton eager to build on tally

Joey Barton has been given a licence to thrill by Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce and the midfielder is loving his new-found freedom on the pitch.

The 23-year-old midfielder will aim to improve his goalscoring ratio over the coming months after Pearce encouraged him to attack more.

Barton is set to face Everton tomorrow, providing he shakes off an ankle injury, and is looking to improve on his two-goal tally.

“They have come from a combined distance of two yards,” he joked.

“I have been given a little bit of a licence (by the manager) to run on.”

Barton has been named City’s player of the month and Pearce is pleased by the player’s progress.

“I am seeing a maturity about him, not just on the pitch but off it as well,” he told www.mcfc.co.uk.

“It is a good start for Joey, but it is just a start. We want him to be here for a long time to come.”

The 11.15 kick-off at Eastlands has raised a few eyebrows but Barton said: “I used to play Sunday League football so the time is no problem.

“I don’t know what the fuss about. It is better than getting up at 6.30 and going and workingno the roofs.”

Barton comes from a family of Evertonians but he is more concerned about the team getting back to winning ways after three successive defeats.

“It is a game this club must win and hopefully I will be part of it,” he said.

“We are still in seventh place. It shows just how tight the Premier League is at the minute.

“Our next two games are at home and if we take six points will be back near the top.

“There is no panic. We’ve had a bit of bad luck and a couple of injuries.

“We will put it right and there is no need to worry.”

Striker Andy Cole is back in training and in line for a recall to the starting line up after a three-week absence with a hamstring strain.

Pearce said: “Andy is a quality player, that’s why we bought him.

“He has returned to training and that is a bonus for us.

“I am pleased to have him back as he is a good man to have around the club. The players like him and he has fitted in extremely well. He’s got a couple of key goals for us.”