Newcastle United have failed to gain special dispensation for Joey Barton ahead of their crucial match against Liverpool on Saturday.

The Times says the 25-year-old is unable to play in Merseyside as part of his bail conditions over a charge of assault and affray for an alleged incident in Liverpool city centre on December 27 and Newcastle have attempted unsuccessfully to have those restrictions relaxed.

Barton's bail conditions, which initially included a nightly curfew at the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire, have been modified once to allow him to live on Tyneside. While a curfew still applies, he can participate in evening games for his club and is permitted to attend away matches provided he returns home immediately afterwards.