Joey Barton is to train with the Football League newcomers, Fleetwood Town, to prepare for his late entry to the new season.

The QPR midfielder was handed a 12-game suspension following his red card and violent reaction during the club's 3-2 defeat by Manchester City on the final day of the Premier League season. Barton elbowed Carlos Tevez and kicked Sergio Agüero before attempting to headbutt Vincent Kompany.

As his QPR team-mates continue their preparations for the 2012-13 Premier League campaign, Barton will work on his fitness with the Lancashire club, who won the Blue Square Premier last season.

The 29-year-old said, via Twitter: "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.

"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."