Newcastle United Football Club News

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

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Kinnear drops Barton hint

23 Oct 2008 - 10:29:52

Click To Enlarge

Newcastle United boss Joe Kinnear has dropped a strong hint that Joey Barton will be involved in Saturday's derby with local rivals Sunderland.

The controversial midfielder is available for selection after serving a six-game ban following his training ground assault on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo at Manchester City in 2007.

Barton made his comeback appearance for the club's reserves on Tuesday night and Kinnear is ready to throw their fiery midfielder into the white-hot atmosphere of a Wear-Tyne derby.

"He's got a big heart and is a good character and on top of that he can play," he told the club's official website.

"I've been pleased with him in training and with his attitude. He will come into contention for sure.

"You want all your best players available when you're going into tough matches.

"His fitness level is good and what has happened in the past with the lad is over and done with.

"I am only here to assess his ability as a player and he's a good player, he really is. I will assess everyone we have available."

Speaking after the second string game, Barton admitted he was entering the last-chance saloon following a career littered with disciplinary problems both on and off the pitch.