JOEY Barton will miss Rangers' pre-season training camp in the USA and meet up with the squad only a week before the season begins.

The Ibrox club begin preparations for the new campaign with a 12-day trip to the United States that begins on June 27.

Press Association Sport has reported that the midfielder's contract officially starts on July 1 and this is the date he had always intended to begin his stint in Glasgow.

Read more: Joey Barton set to face familiar foes as Rangers announce friendly with Burnley

Reports on Thursday had suggested that Barton would miss the trip due to difficulties obtaining an American visa with a criminal record.Glasgow Times: Joey Barton

But the 33-year-old's pre-arranged media commitments are believed to be preventing him from taking part, as he is currently in France working with talkSPORT for Euro 2016.

Rangers manager Mark Warburton is happy with Barton as he has been keeping himself fit since leaving Burnley, but the situation means he won't join up with the Gers squad until they return from the USA on July 8.

The Ibrox club begin their campaign against Motherwell in the Betfred Cup on July 16, giving Barton only eight days of preparation, and he may train with the club's youth team while they are away.