Wednesday 2 November 2016 17:22, UK
Joey Barton will be made to train with Rangers' youth teams after he was told to report back to the club's training base.
The 34-year-old has not been seen at the Auchenhowie facility for almost two months following a training-ground bust-up with team-mate Andy Halliday and a row with boss Mark Warburton in the wake of their 5-1 defeat by Celtic on September 10.
Rangers have now confirmed Barton can return to work after announcing the conclusion of the midfielder's disciplinary procedure but Sky sources understand he will not be considered for first-team selection and will train with a Rangers academy team.
Barton, who began his career at Manchester City and has also played for Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers, has played just eight times since joining Rangers from Burnley on a two-year deal this summer.
In a statement, the Scottish Premiership club said; "Joey Barton has been told he will return to full-time training following the conclusion of a disciplinary procedure.
"The Auchenhowie management team will inform the player of appropriate training arrangements to which he must adhere for as long as he remains a Rangers player.
"Neither the club nor the player will comment further."
During his suspension, Barton was charged by the Scottish FA for allegedly placing bets on the outcome of 44 football matches.
He asked for more time to consider his response to the charge and to examine paperwork in the case against him and the SFA's judicial panel agreed to postpone the hearing from October 27 to November 17.
Meanwhile, Rangers midfielder Niko Kranjcar has been ruled out for six months with a cruciate ligament injury.
The 32-year-old suffered the injury on the training ground a fortnight ago and had his worst fears confirmed following a meeting with a top consultant in London.
