The return of Joey Barton from injury has instilled confidence in Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear.

Kinnear believes that having the midfielder back in the first team will go a long way to keeping the club in the top flight this season.

"Having Joey back is a big bonus," Kinnear told the club's official website.

"I thought it was important to give him a run out at Blackburn and then again in Tuesday's game with Carlisle.

"He has a great desire to win and is a box-to-box midfielder who will give his all.

"He could be a very important player for us between now and the end of the season."