Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has opened the door to midfielder Joey Barton playing for them again.
The pair are due to meet before training on Friday but, even if talks resolve Barton's immediate future, he is likely to be only on the bench at St James' Park for Saturday's opening game against Arsenal.
Pardew said: "Joey will determine whether he stays. I've told Joey that he won't play for me and I won't include him unless I think he's pulling for us.
"If Joey turns around to me and says that's what he's going to do, then he will. He's in the process of weighing up what he needs to do.
"There's no contract on offer for him here. He has to decide - does he take a longer contract elsewhere, or does he stay and play for Newcastle and take that option later on in the season?"
