Source: Daily_Mail
Joey Barton starts talks to extend his contract with Newcastle
Joey Barton is ready to commit his future to Newcastle after opening talks over a new deal.[LNB]Ready to stay: Joe Barton loves life on the Tyne[LNB]The 28-year-old midfielder, who is currently playing some of the best football of his career, is hoping to extend his stay at St James' Park beyond the confines of the five-year contract he signed in June 2007.[LNB]He told the Evening Chronicle: 'I have started discussions with the club, and everything seems to be going in the right direction.[LNB]'Hopefully we will get that sorted as soon as possible, and I can just concentrate on doing my utmost for Newcastle United.[LNB]'I want to stay here.'[LNB]New manager Alan Pardew has made Barton's retention one of his major aims after seeing him turn in a series of fine performances since his arrival on Tyneside last month.'[LNB]A new deal would cap a major turnaround for a man whose future at St James' looked bleak when he was jailed for assault in May 2008.[LNB]However, he has fought his way back into the team and, as he continues to battle the demons which have blighted his career on and off the pitch, he has started to reproduce the form which won him his single England cap and persuaded the Magpies to invest £5.8million in his services.[LNB]He freely admits he still has issues with which he needs to deal - he was banned for three matches on video evidence after punching Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen in November - but he was regularly serenaded by a packed house during Saturday's 1-1 Barclays Premier League draw with Tottenham.[LNB]If Barton does put pen to paper, he will be the latest in a series of men to buy into Newcastle's brave new world with Andy Carroll, Steven Taylor, Mike Williamson and promising youngsters Nile Ranger and Haris Vuckic among those to have agreed new long-term contracts.[LNB]Pardew revealed after the Spurs game that the club is close to agreeing a new deal with an unnamed player, and he hopes to turn his mind to transfer targets, with Aston Villa's Stephen Ireland among the men in his sights, later this week.[LNB]Pardew and his players flew out on a warm weather break to Portugal yesterday morning with no fixture this weekend because of their early exit from the FA Cup.[LNB]Striker Carroll was among the party as he attempts to shake off the thigh injury which has sidelined him for the last five games, although the manager remains hopeful he could make the trip to Fulham on February 2 to give him a boost on the fitness front.[LNB]He said: 'Andy Carroll will be the closest. We will take him on the training camp to Portugal, and hopefully, he will be in with a chance for Fulham.'[LNB]Central defender Steven Taylor is expected to miss out once again with a hamstring injury, while midfielder Cheik Tiote completes his three-game ban.[LNB]Meanwhile, utility man Ryan Taylor is back in light training after suffering an ankle ligament injury in November, although he faces a lengthy period of rehabilitation. [LNB] The Insider: Diarra stuck in the middle at Madrid as Spurs keep an eye and Fulham close in on Wright-PhillipsNewcastle 1 Tottenham 1: Lennon mugs Magpies with last-gasp strikeWatch all the Premier League goals every week on our brilliant video playerClub-by-club guide to every Premier League transfer deal during JanuaryAlan Pardew surprised that Newcastle's Kevin Nolan has no England capAll the latest Newcastle news, features and opinion[LNB][LNB] Explore more:People: Ryan Taylor, Andy Carroll, Steven Taylor, Joey Barton Places: Newcastle, Portugal, United Kingdom
