Source: PA
Barton still keen to sign
Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is keen to sign his new contract despite Andy Carroll's departure.
The 28-year-old admits Carroll's £35million deadline-day switch to Liverpool did make him pause for thought as a disappointed dressing room came to terms with the loss of a player whose potential had given great cause for optimism on Tyneside.
However, speaking after Saturday's remarkable 4-4 Barclays Premier League draw with Arsenal, in which he played a key role, he revealed he still wants to stay at St James' Park. Barton told NUFC TV: "As far as I'm aware, I had agreed in principle to sign a deal. I want to stay at this football club - I have stated that on numerous occasions.
"When stuff happens like what happened during the week, then obviously you think, 'Hang on a minute, what is going on here? Is this the right move? Is this the right decision to make?'. But I am enjoying my football here. I love living in the city, the fans are brilliant with me - I feel I am building a real rapport with them. Obviously I am disappointed that Andy has gone, as are a number of people in there, because we felt he was a big part of us building a successful football club.
"But I am told they are going to re-invest the money and as long as that happens, I don't think there will be a problem if they invest the money quite wisely. But that's not my job, my job is to turn up and play football. I did think a little bit, 'Is this the right move to make?', but I owe a lot to this football club for giving me the chances after I have let them down in the past.
"The fans are different class with me and I am keen to stay. It makes a massive statement to everyone if I was to not sign a contract and say, 'I am going to wait' and blah, blah, blah. Maybe a few other people would be waiting and saying, 'Let's just see what's going to happen'. But I am keen to get it signed, draw a line under it and let's start moving this football club back in the right direction."
