City end for Barton
Joey Barton is out of the Manchester derby on Saturday and out of excuses at Manchester City after his temper got the better of him again yesterday. City have suspended the volatile midfielder following a training ground fight with team-mate Ousmane Dabo. Dabo was left requiring hospital treatment for cuts to his face after the fight erupted during a training game at City's Carrington complex. Manager Stuart Pearce reacted swiftly and has banned Barton for the remainder of the season.
Peter Edwards, Daily Express

Alarm as Sir Alex sent "poison" package
Sir Alex Ferguson was at the centre of a “poison” alert yesterday after he was sent a mystery substance through the post. Three people were taken to hospital for precautionary tests after one found granules in the packet addressed to the Manchester United boss. It also contained a chilling note to legendary manager Sir Alex. Police were last night stepping up the hunt for the sender. The package arrived yesterday at United’s training HQ in Carrington, Greater Manchester. Sir Alex and the team had left earlier in the day to fly to Italy where tonight they play AC Milan in the semi-final of the Champions League. The package was opened by a member of Carrington staff who raised the alarm. Specialist cops and firefighters rushed to the complex. They sealed off the immediate area before shutting down the entire facility. The worried workers were sent to hospital for checks and the mysterious substance was taken away for testing. But it later emerged that it was NOT dangerous and that no-one has suffered any ill-health through handling the package.
Gordon Smart and