Fleetwood Town boss Joey Barton swoops for Burnley for midfielder Dean Marney

Barton told the Gazette earlier in the month that he was keen to bring an experienced midfielder into the club.

And Marney, 34, certainly fits that bill having ended an eight year stint at Premier League side Burnley to team up with his ex-team mate Barton at Highbury.

Marney's contract has just ended and he reportedly attracted interest from Championship side Nottingham Forest before opting for a reunion with Barton.

The midfielder leaves Turf Moor having not featured for Sean Dyche's side in over 18 months after injuring his knee at Arsenal in the 2-1 defeat in the 2016/17 Premier League season.

But now the midfielder, who has racked up more than 300 league appearances for Hull and Burnley after starting his career at Tottenham, is preparing to set himself up for a return to league action by featuring in a friendly for Town tonight.

Marney has not featured in the league for the Clarets since picking up that injury in January 2017 but he is expected to feature for Town at National League North side Chorley tonight.

He is the second Burnley man to join Barton at the League One side, striker Chris Long joining on a permanent deal earlier in the summer.

Both are expected to feature at Victory Park for Fleetwood tonight as they bid to push themselves into contention for the league opener against AFC Wimbledon at Highbury on August 4.