Newcastle United boss Kevin Keegan reckons Joey Barton needs just one month to get ready for a controversial return.

He said: "Joey's fine but he won't be featuring in any games until we get him match-fit. He came back for training last Wednesday as we flew out to Mallorca.

"There is no way he can regain match-fitness between now and the start of the season. There's no way it would be sensible to give him a game at the moment.

"With the injuries we've got you would throw him in to a friendly like the PSV game but that would be crazy because he's got to get match-fit.

"Normally you need a month to five weeks to get match-fit and that's why we bring the players back for pre-season training five weeks before and then we play some games.

"The hard part for Joey and the lads who have been injured is the games have gone now and you almost have to do it all in training.

"His training and attitude have been excellent while I've been at this club. He just wants to get back to playing football."