Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton is on target to make his comeback in January. Barton is making good progress from knee ligament damage sustained in last month's draw with.

Magpies boss Joe Kinnear told the club's official website: "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.

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