Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton played 45 minutes of Fleetwood Town's pre-season friendly against Kilmarnock last night.
The 29-year-old, who is suspended for the first 12 matches of the new season, has been training with the League Two side to maintain his fitness levels.
Having had his first outing of the summer, Barton admitted that it was a much-needed workout for him.
"It was a pleasure to be out there," he told the club's official website. "I really enjoyed it. It will take me a while to get up to speed because I'm three or four weeks behind some of these lads.
"Getting match fitness is the reason behind coming to Fleetwood. It was painful because I think it was only my fifth day of pre-season.
"I've had eight or nine weeks sitting on a beach with my feet up after the exploits of the Premier League season. It's good to get back."
Fleetwood won the match 4-0.
Liam Apicella
