Burnley to re-sign Barton on loan deal

Barton helped Burnley win promotion from the Championship last season, but opted to depart Turf Moor to join Scottish Premiership side Rangers.

Barton first joined Burnley in August 2015 and was voted as the club's Player of the Year following the end of its title-winning campaign.

Joey Barton is to re-sign for Premier League side Burnley on a short-term deal from January, subject to international clearance.

Barton helped Burnley win promotion from the Championship last season, but opted to depart Turf Moor to join Scottish Premiership side Rangers.

However, it proved an unhappy spell for the 34-year-old at Ibrox and he was suspended following a training-ground spat with team-mate Andy Halliday in the aftermath of the humiliating 5-1 Old Firm defeat to rivals Celtic in September. 

Barton was initially exiled for three weeks, but his ban was extended when the Scottish Football Association charged him for breaching betting rules and the two parties eventually parted ways in November.

The former Manchester City midfielder consequently started training with Burnley last month in a bid to maintain his fitness until January, when he would be free to sign for a new club.

And boss Sean Dyche has opted to hand Barton a deal, with a club statement confirming: "The Clarets have agreed terms with the midfielder on a deal until the end of the season – subject to international clearance once the transfer window opens in January."

Barton first joined Burnley in August 2015 and was voted as the club's Player of the Year following the end of its title-winning campaign.

The Clarets are 16th in the Premier League, just three points above the relegation zone.