Source: SKY_Sports
Shearer won't rush Barton
Newcastle manager Alan Shearer is adamant he will not rush Joey Barton back to first-team action.[LNB] The midfielder has not played since January due to a broken metatarsal, but the Magpies were optimistic he could play a part in the crunch relegation clash with Portsmouth on Monday.[LNB]Shearer inherited an injury-hit squad when he took up the St James' Park reins on an eight-game basis at the start of April and he is eager for fully-fit troops in the battle against the Premier League drop.[LNB]However, the former Newcastle captain insists he will not call on Barton when fellow strugglers Pompey arrive on Tyneside if the one-time England cap is at risk of suffering a setback.[LNB]"Joey could do a big job for us. We're trying everything to get him fit because the more bodies we have, the more it will help us," said the Magpies boss. [LNB]No problems"Whether he'll make Monday, we'll have to see. If he does, he certainly won't be match-fit. [LNB]"I've had no problems with him whatsoever. Whatever we've asked of him, he's done. [LNB]"He's desperate to play, that's what he wants. He's fed up of being injured. [LNB]"But there's no point pushing him to the extreme. We don't want to push him so much that we cause a setback. [LNB]"When he is handed over to us for full training, we want him to be right."[LNB]
