Barton available for City

Joey Barton will be free to play for Manchester City at Sheffield United tomorrow despite his red card in the defeat by Bolton on Saturday.

Under the Football Association’s new fast-track system, City’s appeal against Barton’s dismissal would normally have been heard before their next game but special rules apply over the festive period, so the Blues’ top scorer can turn out at Bramall Lane.

Bernardo Corradi returns from suspension and could start the Barclays Premiership match as manager Stuart Pearce looks to find a winning formula after seeing his side pick up just one point from their last four games.

Micah Richards may also recover from his dead leg in time to start.

Team (from): Weaver, Isaksson, Onuoha, Richards, Dunne, Distin, Thatcher, Jordan, Trabelsi, Reyna, Ireland, Barton, Miller, Vassell, Dickov, Samaras, Corradi, Dabo, Beasley, M Mills.