Banned Barton to train with Fleetwood

Controversial QPR midfielder Joey Barton is to train with Football League newcomers Fleetwood after being handed a 12-game suspension. Barton elbowed Carlos Tevez and kicked Sergio Aguero before attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany in the club's 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on the final day of the English Premier League season. But as his QPR team-mates continue their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2012-13 campaign, Barton will work on his fitness with the Lancashire club. The 29-year-old said, via Twitter, on Monday: "Looking forward to training with Fleetwood Town for the week. Will get a much needed sweat on... Still have 3 years left at QPR. Exciting times for the club, which I intended to be a part of. Need to get some fitness in the meantime... "Fleetwood are a young club going places. 5 promotions already in the last few years. If I help some of their young players, great," he added.  "Training with them will certainly help me with my short term fitness and my plan on being as fit as possible during my 12-game ban."