Barton bust-up won't settle unsettle City: Pearce

Stuart Pearce has insisted there will be no negative response from Manchester City to the training ground bust-up that led to Joey Barton being suspended and Ousmane Dabo requiring hospital treatment.

Both men will miss Saturday’s Premiership derby with Manchester United at Eastlands following the fracas, which had led to intense speculation that Barton will be axed by Pearce in the summer.

The City boss refused to discuss the specifics of the scrap, confirming the matter is now subject to an internal disciplinary hearing which will be held the week after the season ends.

But he does not believe there will be any lingering problem that will affect City’s performance this weekend.

“I am sure the rest of the players will react very professionally,” said Pearce.

“There will be no negative response. The way the squad have handled everything has been a credit to themselves. I am sure they are galvanised by it.”

It has been suggested Dabo is considering taking legal action against Barton for the assault, which erupted after a row during training.

Such a move could have serious consequences for the England midfielder, who has attracted unwanted publicity on a regular basis down the years and is currently thought to be out of the country.

Among the most unsavoury incidents were Barton stubbing a cigar out in the eye of team-mate Jamie Tandy during a players’ Christmas party and also attacking a schoolboy Everton fan in a Thailand bar.

“The matter is now the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing,” said Pearce.

“The board will be involved, as will myself, and we will deal with it after the season ends.”