Joey Barton hearing over alleged betting offences moved to November 17

Joey Barton's Hampden hearing over alleged betting offences has been put back to November 17.

The Rangers midfielder was originally due to face a Scottish Football Association judicial panel on October 27 but it is understood he asked for extra time to prepare his case this week.

The former Newcastle player had been given until Wednesday this week to respond but the SFA has confirmed the hearing date has been changed.

The suspended Rangers player was charged with placing 44 bets on games between July 1 and September 15 this year. SFA rules ban players from betting on any football match, anywhere in the world.

It is understood Barton did not bet on any games involving Rangers - although he reportedly placed money on Celtic to lose heavily in their Champions League clash in Barcelona, a match the Hoops lost 7-0.

The former England midfielder was due to return to training earlier this week after serving a month-long club suspension after an angry bust-up with boss Mark Warburton and team-mate Andy Halliday.

But Rangers announced on Sunday they had told him to stay away from both Ibrox and their Auchenhowie training base for another seven days after launching a ''formal disciplinary procedure''.

If Rangers do not broker a peace deal or find grounds to sack him, they face having to pay off the former England cap's two-year contract, which is worth £2million.