Barton Back In Training

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton was back in training today after several weeks on the sidelines. The former Manchester City player had previously been bailed to a Hampshire Health Spa where he sought treatment for alcohol addiction, he now restricted to training with the club, his bail condition prevent him for being selected to play.

Caretaker manager Nigel Pearson refused to discuss the situation in detail but did give the following statement:

"What I can tell you is that the bail rulings are in place and at some point, Joey had to be introduced to training because at the end of the day, he is one of our players.

He has got back in in the last couple of days to basically assess his fitness, and we will go from there.

Outside of that, I can't really comment because I am not totally au fait with the details.

All I will say is that any rules and regulations which are in place will be met by us."

At the beginning of January (prior to the FA cup game against Stoke) when Barton was released for Liverpool's Walton prison, former Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce said the following with regards to training sessions.

"There may be a possibility, certainly not for the Stoke match, but after that, there might be the possibility.

We are doing our research into that with the lawyer and making absolutely certain that there are going to be no rules or regulations set that we might be breaking if we do attempt to get Joey back into the squad, and take it from there."

Sam said:

"I've spoken to Joey today just to find out from his solicitors what can and can't be done from our point of view,

When we get all that information we'll see how we go in terms of starting training and when he might be available to be selected."