JOEY Barton has blotted his copybook again... infuriating his manager by not turning up for a key meeting on time.

And although an unsigned é28,000-a-week contract remains on the table - indicating the midfielder wants away - there have been no offers for his services.

Academy product Barton, who is entering the final year of his contract, left boss Stuart Pearce livid by turning up half-an-hour late for his de-briefing day appointment at the Carrington training centre when every other player managed to stick to their allotted times.

Having made one error of judgement, Barton then compounded it by leaving the training centre reputedly to play golf before returning for his meeting with the manager.

This latest controversy comes in the wake of the player arriving late for physio treatment following a minor knee operation that kept him out of the side for a month.

A year ago, the talented 23-year-old was sent home in disgrace from a pre-season tour of Thailand after an altercation with an Everton fan - and that came six months after he narrowly avoided the sack for stubbing a cigar in the eye of a junior player at a Christmas party.

Ill-timed

In January, Barton angered City fans, who were prepared to crown him the new terrace hero following Shaun Wright-Phillips' departure, by slapping in an ill-timed transfer request. He did so after turning down a new offer that would have made him one of the top earners at the club, with a basic salary of around é24,000 per week rising to nearer é28,000 with bonuses.

At the time Charlton, Middlesbrough and even Arsenal were touted as possible new homes for Barton's combative style, but despite the player remaining available for transfer, there have not yet been any bids.

It is possible that he will see out his final 12 months with City and then leave on a Bosman in the summer of 2007 but he will not see much action if he continues to flout Pearce's strict disciplinary code.

Meanwhile, Barton continues to insist that he is not desperate to leave the Blues and would like to sign a new deal.

"My adviser is due to speak to City in the coming weeks," he said.

Would you like to see Barton stay? Have your say.