Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton insists he isn't "scared" of a jail sentence hanging over him.

Injuries have meant Barton has started only three Premier League matches since his summer move from Manchester City. And yet his season could get worse if he is given a jail sentence for his assault on former team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

Barton told BBC's Inside Sport: "It doesn't scare me at all because I know I've done nothing wrong. I can go home and sleep at night and know I've done what I thought was right.

"No one cares whether I'm innocent or guilty. It's the fact that I've been involved in the incident, I'm already guilty before I've been sat in front of a judge.

"I can't go back and change my life. It's my life and I've done what I thought was best at the time. Obviously there's been a lot of mistakes I've made but what can I do? I can't change it."