SAM Vokes today insisted new Burnley player Joey Barton hasn’t been adversely affected by the four months he has spent on the sidelines this season.

The Englishman was suspended by Rangers back in September following a training ground bust-up with his Rangers team mate Andy Halliday in the wake of the 5-1 defeat to Celtic at Parkhead.

The 34-year-old had his contract at Ibrox terminated in November and has since signed a short-term deal with his former club Burnley.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle United, Queens Park Rangers and Marseille man made his comeback for the Clarets nine days ago.

The Emirates FA Cup game he played for Burnley against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light was his first since the Old Firm match.

But he came off the bench in the Barclays Premier League match against Southampton at Turf Moor on Saturday and netted the winner with a well-taken long-range free-kick.

And Vokes, the Welsh striker, reckons he is every bit as good as when he helped Sean Dyche’s side win the Sky Bet Championship last season.

“He’s come back into training and looked exactly the same guy as he was when he left here six months ago,” he said.

“It’s great to have him back in and around it. We had success last year and he was a massive part of that.

“He knows the lads and knows the dressing room. It’s important he’s around the squad now and he showed last week with his performance that he can help us.”

Vokes admitted he had been upset when Barton turned down the offer of a new contract in Lancashire in the summer in order to sign for Rangers.

He said: “I was gutted and a little bit surprised because he had been a big character in the dressing room and a big player for us on the pitch.

“He is good to have around the place and is a great leader in the dressing room. We have added quality to the squad and are hoping to do well in the second half of the season now.”