Source: Northern_Echo
Barton faces a battle to return
CHRIS HUGHTON wants controversial midfielder Joey Barton to be part of the Newcastle United squad next season but warned he faces a battle to regain his place.[LNB] Barton's rehabilitation from surgery continued against Hartlepool United reserves last night the midfielder missed a penalty in the 2-0 loss and Hughton welcomed the prospect of having a proven top flight performer back in contention as his side gear up for a return to the Premier League.[LNB] The one-time England international, who has two years to run on his lucrative deal with the Magpies, is eager to play his part in their challenge for the Championship title after being sidelined since last September.[LNB] An experienced central midfield has been one of the cornerstones supporting Newcastle's promotion bid, which is expected to continue at home to Scunthorpe tonight, and the manager is in the enviable position of not having to hurry Barton back until the 27-year-old has fully recovered from foot surgery.[LNB] Hughton responded to the suggestion that Barton's return to the fold would test his man management skills by saying: The first thing to say with Joey is that he hasn't been a problem.[LNB] The bigger problems that he has had even though we had to suffer the consequences of it they were issues before he came to this club.[LNB] Re: Joey being around, he's been fine. No different to anybody else and treated no different to anybody else.[LNB] Hughton hailed Kevin Nolan who was this week named as Coca-Cola Championship Player of the Year at the FourFourTwo Football League awards.[LNB] The manager noted that Barton faces stiff competition from Nolan, Alan Smith, Danny Guthrie and Nicky Butt if he hopes to force his way back into the first team.[LNB] Kevin received an award the other night that he thoroughly deserved to receive,'' he said. He's been a wonderful player for this club and has shown a real desire to want to help this club get back in the Premier League.[LNB] Any problems Joey has had have been documented enough times. I can only speak about individual players.[LNB] What I am aware with Joey is that he's been out for a long time and there's a real consistency in what we've got in midfield and when he's available he's in the same position as everybody else.[LNB] He has to fight for a place and when he does play, he'll be picked on merit.[LNB] Do I see him playing for us next season Yes. Joey is a player who is contracted to this club, I think he's got another couple of years left, I've no doubt that if Joey had been fit this season, he would certainly have played a bigger part than what he has done. I see nothing different to that in the future.[LNB] Fabricio Coloccini, who sustained a dead leg against Middlesbrough last Saturday, will be assessed later today but Alan Smith has been ruled out with an ankle injury.[LNB] Jose Enrique and Wayne Routledge are hoping for starts while striker Shola Ameobi returns to training tomorrow.[LNB] Newcastle (probable): Harper; Simpson, Coloccini, Hall, Enrique; Routledge, Nolan, Guthrie, Gutierrez; Carroll, Lovenkrands.[LNB]
