Joey Barton might have spent a routine day off for Manchester City's players yesterday, preparing his excuses after his part in the latest Christmas party escapades to find their way into the tabloid press.

Whatever he comes up with, the midfielder is unlikely to be spared disciplinary action for apparently stubbing out a cigar in the eye of a reserve-team player. Barton is expected to make a formal apology to Kevin Keegan this morning, but that will not stop him being docked a fortnight's wages, the maximum allowed under Professional Footballers' Association guidelines.

City confirmed yesterday they had launched an internal investigation and made no attempt to deny any of the allegations involving Barton, a 22-year-old Liverpudlian, and one of his midfield understudies, Jamie Tandy, a 20-year-old from Manchester.

Barton, who was dressed as Jimmy Saville, is said to have been stubbing out cigars on the arms of his team-mates. Tandy reportedly tried to burn his colleague's shirt with a cigarette lighter, and Barton responded by jabbing a cigar into his face.

It is alleged that some of Tandy's friends then hit Barton over the head with a bottle, although nothing has been reported to the police. Tandy has since been to hospital twice, once after the incident and once with the club doctor in attendance, though there was thought to be no lasting damage.

The club have been keen to emphasise that Tandy, who is out for the season after a knee operation, was equally responsible for the incident. However, Keegan might also want to know why one of his more influential players was apparently smoking.

Both players reported for training on Monday and Keegan was unaware of the incident until the club's media department began receiving telephone calls. The fracas took place at Manchester's Lucid nightclub on Sunday.