Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton admits he rates success on Tyneside ahead of relaunching his England career.

"I'm an Englishman and nothing makes me more proud than to play for my country. I'm very patriotic," said Barton, who made his Magpies debut in last night's pre-season friendly at Hartlepool United. "It was the pinnacle of my career representing my country.

"I'd love to be in the England fold but I'd much rather be successful here at club level because this is where your bread's buttered. This is where you earn your caps by playing well for the club so the first thing on my mind is to achieve success here. If I do that everything else takes care of itself."