Newcastle will be without Joey Barton for up to eight
weeks after the club confirmed on Monday morning that a scan had
revealed the Newcastle midfielder has damaged knee
ligaments.
Barton twisted his knee in a challenge with Lee Cattermole in
The Magpies’ 2-2 draw with Wigan on Saturday, and left St James’
park on crutches.
A trip to hospital on Sunday compounded Barton’s and the club’s
worst fears as a slight tear to the medial ligament in his right
knee was verified, and he will now need up to two months on the
sidelines to recover.
A club spokesman said: "After further assessment today following
scans yesterday, he has damage to his right medial ligament and
will be out for eight weeks."
Barton refused to lay the blame for the injury at Cattermole’s
door, insisting that the challenge was a fair one.
"I am not blaming Lee Cattermole in any way for this injury. It
was a 50-50 ball and we both went for it, and these things happen,"
said Barton.
"Obviously, it's disappointing and frustrating, and my sole
intention is to knuckle down and bounce back and get fit again to
help the Newcastle United cause."
Barton only returned to action for Newcastle at the end of last
month after serving a six-game ban.