FORMER Tranmere manager John Barnes has been given more time to clear a tax debt.

A judge in a specialist court on Monday, February 27 adjourned a hearing to allow “settlement negotiations” to taken place.

Judge Sally Barber considered the case at an Insolvency and Companies Court hearing in London.

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) officials have lodged a bankruptcy petition.

Megan Vanderhook, who represented HMRC at the hearing, indicated that Barnes owed at least £200,000 – and told the judge that he had repaid £100.000.

She said an adjournment would allow “settlement negotiations” to take place.

Judge Barber said the case would be reconsidered on May 22.

Barnes, 59, who was not at the hearing, played for Watford, Liverpool, and Newcastle.

He also won 79 England caps between 1983 and 1995 – and was head coach at Celtic after ending his playing career.

He endured a difficult spell as Tranmere manager in 2009 lasting just four months in the job before he was was sacked after a poor run of form.