Huns unable/unwilling to pay off Barton, so invited back to Newco
Rangers have announced that midfielder Joey Barton "will return to full-time training" following a club-imposed suspension.
The 34-year-old has been absent from the club since a training-ground row in the wake of September's 5-1 loss at Celtic Park.
With agent Eddy Jennings, he attended a meeting with club officials last week.
Barton has stated repeatedly he wants to return and fight for his place, having joined from Burnley in May.
"Joey Barton has been told he will return to full-time training following the conclusion of a disciplinary procedure," said Rangers on their website.
"The Auchenhowie [training base] 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."
Barton is also facing Scottish FA charges for breaching betting rules. He was charged with placing 44 bets on games between 1 July and 15 September.
The former Manchester City, Newcastle United and QPR player, who has one England cap, left Burnley under freedom of contract at the end of last season, signing a two-year contract at Ibrox.
He has made eight appearances for Mark Warburton's side, who are currently second in the Scottish Premiership.
The fact that Joey Barton is returning to full-time training does not necessarily mean the resumption of his Rangers career.
Under Fifa rules, a player under contract at a club must be provided with training facilities.
The fact that the player was suspended reflects the view of the management team about the serious nature of a training ground row in September.
Any return to the first-team squad would need to be handled in such a way as to not disrupt the mood and unity among the players.
Rangers' statement does not say that Barton is returning to the first-team squad, or will be available for selection, and only the management team at their Auchinhowie training base is mentioned, rather than first-team manager Mark Warburton.
Either the player does eventually return to the first-team squad, or his Rangers career effectively remains over and what happens in the January transfer window will be significant.