Joey Barton heading for Fleetwood Town?

Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton will reportedly begin training with Fleetwood Town.

The former England international will miss the first 12 matches of the new season following his conduct during the final day of the last campaign against Manchester City.

As a result, QPR manager Mark Hughes decided to leave the 29-year-old out of his 26-man squad for the club's pre-season tour of Asia, which in turn saw Barton's future at Loftus Road come into question.

To maintain his fitness Barton will train with League Two side Fleetwood, with the possibility of a loan deal increasing, according to talkSPORT.

Barton joined the R's from Newcastle United last summer.