Joey Barton's Rangers career appears all but over after he was told by the club not to report back for training on Monday morning.
But Rangers face having to pay off the remainder of Barton's £2 million contract if they cannot find grounds to sack him, Press Association Sport reports.
Barton was on the eve of completing a month-long club suspension following a row with boss Mark Warburton and teammate Andy Halliday, but Rangers have now confirmed he has been told to stay away for another week while further disciplinary action is considered.
"Joey Barton has been informed that his suspension by the club has been extended by one week," a club statement read.
"This is part of a formal disciplinary procedure and Joey has been instructed not return to Ibrox or Auchenhowie [training ground] until further notice.
"Neither party [the club and player] will make any further statement or comment.''
Barton and his representatives are now awaiting further instruction but it is almost certain he will not be seen again in a Rangers shirt.
He signed a two-year deal in July worth £20,000-a-week and unless Rangers decide to dismiss him, Barton will demand the balance of his contract is settled before moving on.
The former Manchester City, Newcastle and Queens Park Rangers player was banished from the club's training base last month following a row with Warburton and Halliday, in which he criticised the team's approach to defending in the wake of their 5-1 defeat to Celtic.
His refusal to apologise and an unsanctioned live radio interview saw his initial seven-day exclusion extended by another three weeks.
Barton is also being investigated by the Scottish Football Association over allegations he broke strict betting rules.
The 34-year-old has been given until Wednesday to respond after he was charged with placing 44 bets on games between July 1 and Sept. 15 this year.
Barton knocked back a £35,000-a-week offer from former club Burnley to move to Scotland.
The former England international claimed he would prove himself to be the best player in Scotland after clinching his move to Rangers but has failed to make an impact in the eight appearances made for Warburton's team.
Despite being told to stay away from the club, Barton has stated repeatedly that he wants to return and fight for his place.
Reports last week claimed he had even flown to Qatar to take part in a gruelling boot camp designed to have him operating at peak fitness ahead of his return to Warburton's squad.