Joey Barton hasn't given up hope of playing for Newcastle United
again.
The Sun says Barton, 26, has been suspended for two
weeks following his dressing-room bust-up with manager Alan Shearer
after his sending off in the 3-0 defeat at Liverpool.
But the bad-boy midfielder hopes the Toon legend will walk away
in the summer as it could throw him a lifeline on Tyneside.
A source close to Barton said: “I couldn’t totally rule out Joey
pulling on a black and white shirt again next season even if
Newcastle are relegated.
“But it’s probably fair to say if Shearer is there Joey won’t
be. There’s no way he’s going to be quitting at this stage though.
He’s got three years left on his contract — that’s a lot longer
than Alan Shearer has.”
Barton is hopeful he would find another club in England despite
his disciplinary record.
He respects Blackburn boss Sam Allardyce, who brought him to
Newcastle nearly two years ago.
Tottenham, Bolton and Portsmouth have all shown an interest in
Barton, capped once by England.
PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor said: “Joey has worked hard
with the Sporting Chance clinic and now this has happened.
“People will run out of patience but you have to hope he’ll get
there.”
