Barton makes Magpies vow

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Last updated: 22nd October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Barton makes Magpies vow

Barton: Back in action

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Joey Barton has vowed to repay Newcastle for the troubles he has brought them starting with this weekend's Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland.

The Magpies midfielder made his return to action on Tuesday night in a reserve team clash with Middlesbrough after serving his six-match ban.

Newcastle boss Joe Kinnear is now considering whether or not to hand Barton an instant recall to the first team for Saturday's trip to the Stadium Of Light and the former Manchester City man is keen to prove his worth to the cause.

"Because of my past misdemeanours, it has been tough for me," Barton told the Newcastle Evening Chronicle.

"The season starts here for me and hopefully, it is a case of onwards and upwards.

Starting point

"It's the first game I have played, really. It is a starting point, but I have trained hard.

"The aim is to turn in performances for the fans. I want to do it for everybody connected with the club; players, fans and staff, everybody I have let down in the past.

"I want to go on to start paying back my transfer fee, which I don't think I did at any stage last year."

Barton was hit with the ban, a further six matches of which was suspended for two years, after admitting an FA charge of violent conduct against former City team-mate Ousmane Dabo following an incident that also earned him a fourth-month suspended jail sentence for assault.

However, his darkest moment came when he was sent to prison for six months following another incident in Liverpool city centre in December last year.

Barton, who pleaded guilty to charges of assault and affray, served 74 days and has made only one appearance as a substitute for Newcastle since his release.

However, Kevin Keegan, who replaced Sam Allardyce as manager in January, stood by the player, even resisting attempts to offload him on the final day of the summer transfer window.

Keegan resigned the day before the personal hearing Barton had requested in front of the FA over the Dabo charge, but the midfielder knows the debt he owes the former St James' Park boss.

Neck on the line
"Kevin, as everybody knows, put his neck on the line for me," added Barton.

"He stuck by me, and I am eternally grateful to him for that.

"A lot of other people at the club stuck by me too, and they know who they are.

"Hopefully, I can go on and do a job for this football club."

Barton has declared himself ready to be pitched against fierce rivals Sunderland as he looks to get his season up and running at last.

"I am ready for the Sunderland game. I know it is a derby and I am aware of how passionate the fans are about local derbies," continued Barton.

"I am more concerned mainly about getting my body right so I can be part of the squad.

"I haven't thought about the game too much. But in the coming days, the adrenalin will start running and the derby build-up kicks in."