Source: Daily_Mail
Stoke v NEWCASTLE: Joey Barton faces late fitness test ahead of Potters clash
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will make a late decision on midfielder Joey Barton ahead of the Barclays Premier League trip to Stoke.[LNB]The 28-year-old has missed the last two games with a thigh problem, and although he has returned to training, he will not be risked unless he is 100 per cent fit.[LNB] Handy man: Barton has been in fine form for Newcastle this season[LNB]Pardew has problems on the left with full-back Jose Enrique rated as very doubtful and Jonas Gutierrez also struggling, both with hamstring injuries, while Stephen Ireland (thigh) is definitely out.[LNB]Striker Nile Ranger has recovered from the knock which kept him out of the 2-1 home defeat by Everton but Ryan Taylor serves the second installment of his three-match ban and Dan Gosling (knee), Alan Smith (ankle) and Hatem Ben Arfa (broken leg) remain on the casualty list.[LNB]Provisional squad (from): Harper, Krul, Simpson, Perch, Ferguson, Enrique, Coloccini, Williamson, Campbell, S. Taylor, Tiote, Barton, Nolan, Gutierrez, Guthrie, Vuckic, Richardson, Lovenkrands, Best, Ameobi, Ranger, Kuqi. [LNB]CLICK HERE FOR THE WEEKEND TEAM NEWS IN THE BARCLAYS PREMIER LEAGUE[LNB] Explore more:People: Hatem Ben Arfa, Ryan Taylor, Jonas Gutierrez, Joey Barton, Alan Smith Places: Newcastle
