"His training and attitude have been excellent while I've been at this club. I've spoken to him and know he has just wants to get back to playing football - simple as that.

"Joey is fine, but he won't be featuring in any games until we get him match fit. There's no way he can regain match fitness between now and the start of the season and there's no way it would be sensible to give him a game at the moment.

"Normally you need a month to five weeks to get match fit."

Barton is facing a possible lengthy ban after being charged by the FA with violent conduct over his assault on Ousmane Dabo 15 months ago.

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