Source: SKY_Sports
Barton closing on Toon return
Chris Hughton has revealed that Joey Barton could return for the club's last five games of the season.[LNB] The 26-year-old has been sidelined since injuring his metatarsal in the clash against his former side Manchester City at the end of January.[LNB]The midfielder has missed the club's last six games during which time the Magpies have slipped closer to the bottom three with just goal difference keeping them out of the relegation zone.[LNB]Hughton, who is in charge of team affairs while manager Joe Kinnear recovers from triple heart bypass surgery, will be eager to get Barton back into the side as soon as possiblem to add some much needed steel.[LNB]The North East side face crucial games against Portsmouth, Middlesbrough, and Fulham at home and Liverpool and Aston Villa away in their final five fixtures. [LNB]"It's very much the case that we are looking at having Joey back for the last four or five matches," he told nufcTV.[LNB]"It's been very frustrating for him and for us as well because he's a quality player. [LNB]"We have to cope with that, but when we get him back that will be a big bonus for us."[LNB]
