Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
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Barton targets England recall

19 Jul 2010 - 16:20:49

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Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton claims he is good enough to play for England once again.

Barton, 27, has won one full international cap after being named in the England squad for a friendly against Spain three years ago.

The controversial midfielder will be back in the Premier League with the Magpies again season following their promotion from the Championship and Barton believes he is good enough to play international football again.

"For me, first and foremost I want to do well for Newcastle United," the former Manchester City man told the Evening Chronicle.

"But watching some of the performances in the World Cup over the summer I think that, on form, I'm as good as anybody in this country.

"I don't say that lightly and I have to go out and prove that, but surely every midfielder in this country should be thinking like that?

"They should be looking at it and saying, 'That's where I want to be and that's where I can go'.

"That's my goal, and if I break into the England squad, it proves that I am doing fantastic for this football club.

"Firstly, I have to do well for Newcastle, though."