Surgery option for Barton

Joe Kinnear has admitted Joey Barton may need surgery to repair the medial knee ligament injury that will sideline him for more than two months.

Barton hobbled off the pitch during last weekend’s 2- 2 draw with Wigan after a hefty challenge from former Middlesbrough midfielder Lee Cattermole.

Scans have revealed damage to the England international’s medial ligaments, but a precise course of treatment will not be finalised until the swelling around the knee subsides next week.
It is hoped that an operation can be avoided, but surgery has not been ruled out.

“Joey is on crutches now, but whether or not he will need to have surgery needs to be finalised,” said Kinnear. “If the treatment he is having now doesn’t take, they are going to look at something else. Surgery might be the next option. Whatever happens, he will be out for eight to ten weeks.”

Former boss Sam Allardyce once claimed Barton’s muchpublicised behaviour problems were worse when he was not playing regular football.

Without a regular trainingground routine to follow, there are fears that Barton will be tempted to stray from the teetotal lifestyle he has followed since being released from prison in the summer.
And Kinnear will continue to work with Barton closely despite his enforced absence from the first team.

“I have explained things to him as I see them,” said Kinnear.

“I told him he cannot be fighting with the world, and that he’s just got to concentrate on his football.

“You’ve got to show everybody else that you have to earn respect in life. He is quite happy with that. I have not gone deep beyond that. I thought that he was going well when he was in the side.”

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/3869467.Surgery_option_for_Barton/

Barton suffers fresh setback

Newcastle have confirmed that Joey Barton is set to be sidelined for up to eight weeks after damaging knee ligaments during Saturday's 2-2 draw with Wigan.

The midfielder limped out of the action at St James' Park with just 17 minutes on the clock, and left the stadium on crutches.

He then underwent a number of scans on Sunday to determine the severity of the problem, and has been left disappointed by the results.

The Magpies' medical staff have revealed that the 26-year-old suffered a slight tear to his right medial ligament during an innocuous challenge with Wigan's Lee Cattermole, an injury which is expected to keep him out of action for some time.

A club spokesman said: "After further assessment today following scans yesterday, he has damage to his right medial ligament and will be out for eight weeks."

Frustration
Barton, despite facing up to the prospect of a prolonged period on the treatment table, remains determined to prove his worth at Newcastle this season.

He said: "I am not blaming Lee Cattermole in any way for this injury. It was a 50-50 ball and we both went for it, and these things happen.

"Obviously, it's disappointing and frustrating, and my sole intention is to knuckle down and bounce back and get fit again to help the Newcastle United cause."

The one-cap England international has struggled to make an impact on Tyneside since completing a £5.8million switch from Manchester City last summer.

He has made five appearances since returning from that suspension, but looks unlikely to feature again in 2008.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_4511292,00.html

*Go here as well if you want to read the statement from NUFC http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1456935,00.html

Toon star Barton facing knee scan

Joey Barton left St James's Park on crutches tonight after picking up a knee injury during the 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic.

The Newcastle United midfielder was floored by a tough tackle from Lee Cattermole in the first half and was replaced by Danny Guthrie.

The injury for Joe Kinnear's side comes at a time when most of the United gaffer's injury problems seemed to be clearing up.

A concerned Kinnear said tonight: "Joey has serious swelling and is on crutches. "He's going to hospital in the morning to have a scan. "We will find out how bad it is in the morning."

The crunching tackle from Cattermole went unpunished by ref Andre Marriner and Kinnear added: "Contact was made with his knee."

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/11/15/toon-star-barton-facing-knee-scan-72703-22266707/

*Get better soon Joey!! We need you back out there! Here's a big hug from one of your fans. :)

Kinnear: Joey is our heartbeat

JOE KINNEAR has lavished praise on Newcastle bad boy Joey Barton after the midfielder's bust-up with Gabriel Agbonlahor.
The midfielder hit the headlines again following his heated exchange with the Aston Villa forward in Monday's win.

But Toon boss Kinnear revealed he is delighted with Barton's performances and believes his partnership with Nicky Butt has been an inspiration in their recent revival.

Kinnear said: “Joey was outstanding in the game on Monday.

“Him and Nicky Butt are the heartbeat of our side.

“The pair of them have been superb and have given us a real platform to build on in the games since I’ve been here.

“Their performances are giving everyone confidence and you can see everyone else rising up and getting a lift because of their performances.”

Newcastle sit 14th in the Premier League, a point ahead of next opponents Fulham.

Kinnear is desperate for his side to make it three league wins on the spin and he added: “I thought we were excellent on Monday.

"We really deserved our win and the confidence and lift that will give everyone is immense.

“We go to Fulham now with our heads held high.

“We’re only a few points now off the top half of the table, which just goes to show how tight the league is, and there is a real confidence and belief in the players.”

http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/sport/football/article1900728.ece

Newcastle United v WBA, Oct 28, 2008