Joey Barton exclusive: Newcastle bad boy declares himself fit for derby day comeback against Sunderland

Joey Barton last night declared himself ready for an explosive comeback in the North-East derby against Sunderland and said: "I can't wait."

The Newcastle midfielder made his first competitive appearance since completing his six game ban last night - playing 75 minutes of a reserve game against Middlesbrough.

Barton will be warned to keep his cool in a head to head chat with boss Joe Kinnear this week, who is weighing up whether to hand the controversial star a start on Saturday at the Stadium of Light.

The bad news for United is that Michael Owen is definitely ruled out of the derby game and faces another ten days out. Kinnear said: "He's got no chance."

But Barton told MirrorSport: "I am ready for action. Physically I am fine and I can't wait to get going and get playing for Newcastle again.

"It is good to blow away the cobwebs because sometimes when you come back you feel a but sluggish, but I hope I am back in the frame now."

The Newcastle midfielder's last appearance was as a sub against Arsenal, before serving his ban for assault on former Manchester City team mate Ousmane Dabo.

Kinnear will call Barton in for a pep talk this week and tell him that he can't afford to step over the disciplinary line in such a hard fought match.

In last season's fixture, Barton was involved in an angry confrontation with Sunderland's Dickson Etuhu just before half time after some spiky challenges.

Barton spent 74 days in jail in the summer for assaulting a teenager in Liverpool last Christmas, and then was hit with his latest ban by the FA for battering Dabo.

Kinnear said: "I'll have a one-to-one with him, that's if I get a word in with him because he's a typical Scouser isn't he!

"Obviously I have spoken to him about the importance of staying on the pitch for the Sunderland match because he trains as he plays believe it or not.

"He's got a big heart and is a good character. And on top of that he can play. Barton's in the running for sure.

"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."

Asked if he was worried that such an intense fixture might be too much, Kinnear said: "Well that is a thought, yeah. That has already gone through my head. I am going to sit down with Joey and explain that to him, like you do with all players.

"I want players to play in a certain style who give everything they have got. He's a wholehearted player and he's got a lot of ability as well.

"Maybe people think about him completely differently and forget about the ability he has got. Joey's one of the best finishers at the club believe it or not.

"It's not a case of him badgering me to start him at Sunderland. I will assess everyone we have got available and it will be a case of making the right decision."

Barton will be pushed for his place by Danny Guthrie and Nicky Butt, however he is a strong option to fill the right of midfield. Jonas Gutierrez is fit again.

Referee Rob Styles has indicated he is against rescinding Habib Beye's red card shown against Manchester City. Replays showed he got a touch on the ball when tackling Robinho, by Styles is sticking with his decision. The FA will hear Newcastle's appeal on Thursday.

But former ref Dermot Gallagher said: "I didn't think it was a penalty. He made a genuine effort to make the ball and Rob Styles was caught out of position.

"He got it wrong. I think it is inevitable it will get overturned. No-one will be more disappointed than Rob."

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