Barton earns England call-up

Joey Barton is in line to make his England debut against Spain next week after earning his first call-up in Steve McClaren’s 28-man squad for the Old Trafford clash.

The Manchester City midfielder has been touted for international honours by club boss Stuart Pearce and despite a number of disciplinary problems, including a verbal attack on Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard only a couple of months ago, McClaren has given Barton his chance.