Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has dropped a big hint he's ready to join Sam Allardyce's Newcastle United.

Barton, whose City contract carries a £5.5 million buyout clause, is set to replace Scott Parker at St James' Park and said last night: "He's (Allardyce) a good manager, he showed that at Bolton.

"At Newcastle the sky's the limit. If the club decide to do business it's up to me to speak to them."