By Tyne-Talk
February 16 2010

Injured midfielder Joey Barton will not be rushing to return to action after an operation on his foot last year. His agent Willie McKay has told The Chronicle that he expects his client to return by the end of February, but denied there had been a setback in his recovery. Barton has been absent from the side since last September and was due to return to full training in January of this year, however bad weather forced his training regime to take place indoors rather than on the training pitch.

McKay said;

"Joey can't wait to be involved again. He's had no setback but he has rushed back before for the team and ended up being injured again.

There's no need for him to rush - he said to me he will be back in February at some point and nothing has changed.

When he does come back it will be like having a new signing for Newcastle.

He's keen to play his part and, with his experience at Premier League level, he can be a real asset to Newcastle in the run-in. Joey loves Newcastle and he is desperate to play a part in taking them back to the top."

Prior to last week's defeat at Pride Park, manager Chris Hughton commented on Joey returning to training. He told the Telegraph;

"He will be back training this week but 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 when he will be back. 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.

So regarding his comeback, we do not know but he is back in training this week and we expect another three weeks after that and then we will assess him.

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 added;

"Am I satisfied that he is mentally okay now? Yes. Over the period of time he has been here and injured for four months, 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 okay and he will certainly be looking to get back.

Is he more settled? 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."

No Setback For Barton Recovery

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 16/02/2010 15:08

TyneTalk
16/02/2010 15:08

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.
If you do not already have an account Click here to Register.

Reply Quote Report

rogeybear
16/02/2010 20:20

I for one am looking forward to having the lad back, he is another option to have to chose from and will be a great assett when it comes to closing results in games during the run in

Reply Quote Report

Biffins Bridge
16/02/2010 21:35

If it was a choice between a fit Barton or Nolan pulling the strings in CM it would be Barton.

I love Nolans attitude but he is treading water at the moment and either needs a rest or moved up front to challenge Carroll.

If Barton can stay fit I think it will be like a new signing and what we need at this moment at time. I dont agree with what has went on in the past with the lad but he is our player and we are paying his wages. If he helps us grab promotion then Im all for it.

Reply Quote Report

lostmekeys
16/02/2010 23:25

i really dont like the fact that this article was built around a statement by the players agent. especially when you consider who his agent is. the club havent spoken; the guy milking both players and clubs has.
a nothing peice, given the source, in my opinion.

Reply Quote Report

MissC
17/02/2010 09:45

LMK i agree the agent is usually a complete unreliable source.

Quote from Hughton support what he is saying.....suggest he will be assessed at the end of Feb and wont be rushing him

Reply Quote Report

annie
17/02/2010 10:00

He will only be an asset to the team if he leaves the negative stuff at home. If he does that I'll be glad to see him back. Whenever.

Reply Quote Report

lostmekeys
17/02/2010 11:31

it begs a question why mckay (the most odious man in football) felt the need to speak at all. he routinely uses the media to advertise the availability his players, or to highlight any tension between his players and their clubs. what is his agenda here? has joey been told he wont be used/isnt wanted? why speak at all?

some of mckays players have included:
bernard
distin
nzogbia
chimbonda
and countless others who he has moved around as often as possible simply to earn a cut of the regular transfer fees/new contracts.

cant help but be suspicious when he talks to the papers about another on of his players, who for a long time he was able to move into and out of nufc at will. ask freddie shepherd why that is, as only he knows best...

Reply Quote Report

lostmekeys
17/02/2010 11:41

..and boumsong, benjani, amdy faye, basically any player who moves too often and/or costs too much


parasite

put his name in wikipedia. there are articles involving him with every dodgy player, club, and manager in english and scottish football.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2010:02:17:11:44:54 by lostmekeys.

Reply Quote Report

tunyc
17/02/2010 15:12

How can you tell when Willie McKay is lying?

His mouth is moving.

Can't trust anyone who represents that many Frenchmen, anyway!

Reply Quote Report

waffles
17/02/2010 17:21

Quote:

Biffins Bridge
If it was a choice between a fit Barton or Nolan pulling the strings in CM it would be Barton.

I'd like to see a Barton/Guthrie pairing in the middle. Both of them tackle hard and have good vision. Both of them can put a 25 yard shot and put in upper 90. More importantly, unlike Smith and Nolan, both of them can play Box-to-Box and not look off the pace.

The issues with Barton has always been, and will always be, attitude and durability.

Reply Quote Report

TOONTILLIDIE
17/02/2010 21:29

I am not a fan of Barton as he is a trouble maker and could upset the team, but would agree that Barton and Guthrie would make a good pairing. If Barton could stay out of trouble and wind his neck then then he will be needed and could be the difference of playing fizzy pop or premiership football next season.

Smith has been great but is off the pace in the premiership and Nolan will struglle with his lack of pace as well, the pairing of Guthrie and Barton would be better, and are we going to have the cash to find a better player to replace Smith or Barton. I doubt it.

If he can get himself fit, and he can get a decent run out before the season ends then we can access him, if he hasn't changed get rid regardless of what we get.

Reply Quote Report

Goto: Forum List•Message List•Search• Log In

Sorry, only registered users may post in this forum.

We record all IP addresses on the Sportnetwork message boards which may be required by the authorities in case of defamatory or abusive comment. We seek to monitor the Message Boards at regular intervals. We do not associate Sportnetwork with any of the comments and do not take responsibility for any statements or opinions expressed on the Message Boards. If you have any cause for concern over any material posted here please let us know as soon as possible by e-mailing abuse@sportnetwork.net