Newcastle United Football Club News

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

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Dowie allays Barton fears

16 Apr 2009 - 08:55:16

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Newcastle United have denied reports suggesting Joey Barton has suffered a setback in his recovery from injury.

Barton has been sidelined for the last three months after breaking a metatarsal but assistant manager Iain Dowie insists the controversial former Manchester City midfielder is close to a first-team return.

Dowie told the club's official website: "There's been a suggestion that Joey's had a setback somewhere, but that isn't the case.

"Everything's fine with him and his recovery is on schedule as far as we're all concerned.

"He desperately wants to get back playing again and we're all looking at the Portsmouth game at the moment for him to do that.

"If that comes round a little too soon for him, then it will be the game after that.

"We'll have to see how he goes over the next week or so, but he's very determined, as you'd imagine.

"That's the sort of character he is and hopefully he can play some part in that game."