Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes has confirmed that he expects Joey Barton to be loaned out this season.
Barton, who has been training with Fleetwood Town during pre-season, was handed a 12-match ban for violent conduct in the final game of last season.
His unavailability raised questions over his future at the club, with French side Marseille reportedly keen on the midfielder. Hughes confirmed that the Ligue 1 side are interested, but that there have been no concrete offers yet.
"There has been interest shown by them but there has been no offer made and there has been a few e-mails sent back and forth but nothing concrete yet," he said.
When asked if he expects Barton to leave on loan, Hughes added: "Yes I think so. I have had discussions on a number of occasions with Joey and the fact is he is not available for 12 games at the beginning of the season."
Barton, 29, was also stripped of the QPR captaincy and fined six weeks' wages for his sending-off against Manchester City on the final day of last season.
