Bolton boss Gary Megson has
refused to rule out the possibility of launching a summer raid for
Joey Barton.
The Trotters expressed an interest in signing the Newcastle
midfielder during the January transfer window, but saw a £2million
bid knocked back.
However, events of the last week appear to have made Barton's
relationship with the St James' Park coaching staff untenable and
he looks destined to leave the club at the end of the season.
Following his red card antics during a 3-0 defeat at Liverpool
and a reported subsequent row, Magpies boss Alan Shearer suspended
the one-cap England international indefinitely.
Newcastle could, therefore, be willing to accept a cut-price
offer for Barton, with Megson likely to be leading the race for his
signature.
"We had an interest in Joey in January," said the Bolton
manager.
"There are obviously issues but he does play his football for
somebody else so we need to respect that.
"We can't talk about other people's players."