Source: Telegraph
Joey Barton wants to help Newcastle back into the Premier League
Barton announced he was hoping to redeem himself at the relegated Tyneside club but has acknowledged manager-in-waiting Alan Shearer may usher him towards the exit if he takes over the reins on a long-term basis.
The pair were involved in a furious dressing room row after Barton, 26, was sent off in a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool that ensured he would miss Newcastle's last three games of an ill-fated season and his misdemeanours prompted a three-week suspension costing him £200,000.
Speaking for the first time since his suspension elapsed, Barton said: "I have tried to make the best of my time off the pitch. It has been well documented that I have had problems with alcohol and I'm trying to turn a corner now.
"All I am looking forward to is going back; I just hope I'm welcome. My intention is to stay with the club so I am concentrating on getting back into peak fitness.
"I'm just looking forward to going back and my intention is to stay at the club and help Newcastle back into the Premier League.
"If Alan Shearer takes the job and if he doesn't want me then my hands are tied. All I can do is try and get as fit as possible, but I have got to prepare for all eventualities."
Barton, who had a spell behind bars last summer for assault, has three years left on his £65,000-per-week contract but no Premier League clubs have come in for him.
While Barton admitted his future remains up in the air, Shearer, left Tyneside to go on holiday with his own long-term position at Newcastle still unresolved at a club which is up for sale.
Now Shearer is waiting to hear from Newcastle owner Mike Ashley whose restructuring plans for the relegated club will need to be ratified by their bankers before the former England captain will sign a four-year deal as manager.
