Newcastle United Football Club News

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

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

Kinnear felt sorry for Barton

28 Oct 2008 - 08:10:05

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Newcastle United's interim manager Joe Kinnear has blasted the Sunderland fans who hurled missiles and abuse at Joey Barton during Saturday's Tyne-Wear derby.

Kinnear admits he felt sorry for the controversial former Manchester City player who was at the centre of the Black Cats' fans' ire as he warmed up on the sidelines before coming on as a late substitute in his side's 2-1 defeat.

The former Wimbledon boss said: "He had bottles thrown at him. It was bang out of order - we must keep this out of football.

"All he was guilty of was warming up on the side of the pitch.

"I felt sorry for him, but thankfully he kept his cool and went on the pitch. He didn't panic and didn't have a grudge against the Sunderland fans.

"I have got to do the best I possibly can with the squad I have. I am not going to listen to people or pay lip-service to anybody. I am playing Joey Barton because he is a good player.

"I am not going to have anybody else tell me different."

Meanwhile, Kinnear has also revealed that Mark Viduka may not return from his Achilles injury until the festive period while Michael Owen could feature in next Monday's game against Aston Villa as he continues his recovery from a groin problem.