Newcastle’s Barton back in the New Year

Troubled Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton is hoping to return to action in January.

After making a successful comeback from a stint in jail, Barton injured ligaments in his knee last month but has progressed well according to Magpies boss Joe Kinnear.

“We have just had Joey’s injury re-assessed and the doctor and physio team tell me we can expect to have him back in the middle of January,” Kinnear told the club’s official website.

“And now he has a date to aim for, it will give Joey a big lift.”