Barton set for Newcastle return

Joey Barton has resumed full training at Newcastle and is set for a comeback.

The controversial midfielder has been out four months with a foot problem and has become the forgotten man as Newcastle top the Championship.

Chris Hughton insists that Barton’s imminent return is a boost not a headache and says he’s been no trouble during his reign as boss.

Hughton said: “The most important thing is to get him fit and to a stage where he is available. If he can play some part this season, then it is certainly better than not having him at all.

“He will be back training this week. The problem is that he has missed a lot of football and when you have been out for as long as he has, the reality is you
don’t know how it will go.

“He will come back into training and normally it will take a few weeks to get him up to speed, the pace of the training, and then, of course, going into a game situation is completely different.

“It is a difficult period for anyone when you are out, it is very frustrating and everything that goes with it ,but he has handled it OK.

“For the majority of the time he has been here, we have had no problems with Joey. He has been very good and very focused. We expect that to continue.”

Newcastle face Derby tonight and Hughton will include Andy Carroll, who scored twice against Cardiff on Friday, in his squad, despite the youngster being charged with ABH yesterday after a nightclub incident last year.

Hughton is standing by his man and said: “I am aware of it. Anything outside the football club we have dealt with and dealt with very well. And kept very much in house.

“He is a player on the back of a very good performance on Friday, not only with his goals but his performance. The most important thing for him is to concentrate on his football. He is working hard and has given us a big contribution.

“We are delighted with him. One thing we did say about Andy is he is a particular type of player with a prowess in the air and, for a big lad, if I look at the other aspects of his game, on the floor, his link up play, he does well.

“What he needs to add to that  is goals. That is what is being continually said to him and can only get better as a player.”