Controversial English midfielder Joey Barton could make his Marseille debut in the Europa League match against Fenerbahce next week, the French club's assistant coach Franck Passi said Tuesday.
Barton is currently serving a 12-match ban after being found guilty of two charges of violent conduct while playing for English Premier League club Queens Park Rangers in the 3-2 defeat to Manchester City on the last day of last season.
And Barton, on a year loan from QPR to the Mediterranean club, will sit out nine Ligue 1 or League Cup matches in France, in accordance with FIFA transfer rules.
But he is eligible to play in Europe and assistant coach Passi said: "He's spent two months without training normally.
"Physically, he'll need a little more time but it's possible that he takes part in the Europa League match" away to Fenerbahce on September 20.
Passi added: "He's a technically very sound player, he participates a lot and he's trying to integrate himself to the very full in our football culture."
Source: AFP
