Joey Barton insists he has no regrets over his move to Newcastle United.

The former Manchester City midfielder admits he knew moving to Tyneside would be "no bed of roses".

"There was no way in the world I thought coming here was going to be a bed of roses," he told the Sunday Sun.

"In an ideal world it would run smoothly, but that never happens at any football club. And that type of adversity is all part of the challenge of turning this club around.

"My first challenge is to play well and score goals for this football club, but this is also a group of men who need inspiring.

"I have to step up to the plate. Hopefully there are seven or eight of us who will be thinking the same."