Revenge of the Toon Army on Joey Barton - can he win them over and rebuild his career?

Joey Barton gave an undiplomatic assessment of Newcastle fans last season when he claimed they were "vicious" for showing their discontent at poor performances.

Those words came back to haunt him as he was released from jail yesterday after serving 74 days of a six-month sentence for beating up a youth outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool.

Barton had spoken to me in a small changing room at Newcastle's Benton training HQ just before Christmas and his first words as he shook my hand were: "Don't make me out to be a criminal, eh."

But Joey, who already had a chequered past, committed his most serious offence yet when in a drunken rage he turned on a youth at 5am on December 27.

The player had complained that Geordie fans were too unforgiving after witnessing Sam Allardyce's side grind out a series of bad results.

Ironically it is their forgiveness that he seeks this morning as his future is debated at boardroom level.

Many fans are understandably angry the club's name has been shamed by an off-the-field controversy, again demanding he is sold.

Barton's scathing critique of the same fans he now wants to back him struck a nerve with the faithful.

The club want him to accept a new contract on half his £60,000-a-week wage.

Barton has turned that down, but the fact Newcastle offered a new deal has seriously weakened their legal position if they want to sack him.

Barton, 25, will return to fitness training and is likely to be kept on Tyneside out of the spotlight when Newcastle fly to Majorca for a two-game pre-season tour this week.

He will also be taken in for more counselling by the Sporting Chance clinic and his mentor Peter Kay, who has also helped Tony Adams.

Newcastle and Barton refused to comment on the situation yesterday.

Club sources stress Keegan and the board are NOT split over how to handle his return to training. But Newcastle fans reacted to Barton's release, and return to training angrily.

On the icnewcastle internet forum one wrote: "It is not about second chances, it is about professionalism, character and respect for fellow players and the club you represent."

Another wrote: "The man is a disgrace. This is nothing to do with the thinness of the squad, last chances, paid his debt. It is called doing the right thing."

And another fan added: "I wish we were in a position to kick him out but given the problems we are having getting players in I see little prospect of that happening."

However there are pockets of support for Barton, arguing that the club should get him fit and sell him so as not to lose the £5.8million transfer fee paid to Manchester City.

His form for United has hardly been sparkling.

However, when Kevin Keegan took charge in January and inherited the trial nightmare, he told the player to keep his nose clean and he would back him.

In the six months Keegan has been in charge the boss claims Barton has shown a new side of his character and deserves a break.

PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: "Joey's been running out of last chances. From that point of view it may have been the time when Newcastle would have said 'we can't stand for this' and move him on.

"Hopefully Kevin thinks he can work his oracle with Joey and Joey will get his life back on track as a human being and as a footballer.

"At the same time you've got to be responsible for your own actions. We've tried to help Joey with the Sporting Chance clinic and to be there to help him when he's needed it.

"But you need to see something in return. It's not been good, this last year has not been good, but the lad has ability and you keep hoping he can put it behind him and move on."

Newcastle could be active in the transfer market with Fabricio Coloccinio, the £5mrated Deportivo de La Coruna defender on their radar.

The Argentinian, who has 27 caps, claims to have been told of Newcastle's interest.

Newcastle also want Blackburn defender Stephen Warnock, and will throw in winger Damien Duff to seal a deal.

For transfer stories and rumours throughout the day, check out our Football Spy blog

Manage your own football team - Click here to sign up to our Fantasy Football game...