Joey Barton takes charge at Fleetwood

Joey Barton has accepted Fleetwood have taken a gamble by appointing him as their new manager.

Barton, 35, suspended from football for illegal betting in 2017, was introduced to the media for the first time on Monday since being appointed as John Sheridan's successor in April.

"I suppose we can contact some bookmakers to give us a price for what it was for me coming out of a betting ban and into a managerial position," Barton said.

Barton has worked as a pundit with talkSPORT since serving a ban handed to him last year for betting on football matches and described himself as "poacher turned gamekeeper" as he embarks on his new career.

The former Manchester City, Newcastle, QPR and Burnley midfielder said football and the media was "a two-way street" and said he would still be active on social media.

Barton signed a three-year deal in April with Fleetwood, who have won six promotions in 10 seasons - from the ninth tier to Sky Bet League One - under owner Andy Pilley.