Joe Kinnear has had to tinker with his transfer plans now Joey Barton has been ruled out until March.
The troubled midfielder made just five appearances after returning from a suspension for assaulting his then-Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo before succumbing to knee ligament damage. But Barton was a key figure in those games and without him the Magpies midfield looks rather one-dimensional.
Nicky Butt and Danny Guthrie have performed well in the Merseysider’s absence but share the same combative qualities. Without Barton there is a lack of creativity and goal threat from central midfield. So when he was told Barton would not be back in training until February, or playing until March, Kinnear admitted he reworked his shopping list ahead of the January sales.
“I think Joey’s pretty much two months away (from playing),” said the former defender. “He’s got to get himself back in shape, hasn’t he? I know they’re saying he’ll be ready to start training in six weeks but I think he’ll need at least another two or three weeks after that. We’re probably looking at March before he comes back into the side.
“That’s a big blow. It’s more serious than we actually thought. It means we’ll be looking for a midfielder in the transfer window now.”
Barton’s recovery was initially expected to be a month quicker and even the news that his knee did not require an operation did nothing to speed up the process. “He hasn’t needed surgery but because of the delicacy of where the surgery is, it’s taking longer than we anticipated for it to perfectly knit together,” Kinnear explained. United’s interim manager admitted yesterday he might have to scour the Championship for bargains rather than spending the big fees some of his St James’s Park predecessors have done in the past decade or so.
And he thinks the credit crunch will eat into most of his rivals’ budgets, too.
“The credit crunch will play a major role in transfer window activity,” he said. “Whatever price is thrown out there everyone is going back with half that amount. Plus we have seen so many clubs that are up for sale.”
http://www.journallive.co.uk/nufc/newcastle-united-news/2008/12/20/strengthening-the-midfield-now-a-priority-61634-22517043/
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Joey Barton set to return to action in January
NEWCASTLE United have pencilled in a mid-January return for their controversial midfielder Joey Barton.
That means the player will have been sidelined for nine weeks after picking up a knee ligament injury in the draw with Wigan Athletic at St James’s Park in the middle of last month.
A return to fitness next month would put United’s £5.8m man in with a great chance of making an appearance at his old club Manchester City on January 28, followed by the derby clash with Sunderland at St James’s Park three days later.
United boss Joe Kinnear said: “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 that he has a date to aim for, it will give Joey a big lift.
*Another article is here: http://www.goal.com/en/news/700/newcastle/2008/12/03/994940/newcastles-barton-set-for-january-return
Comeback Target For Sidelined Joey
Click the link below to read an update about Joey and when he is due back.
http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1475286,00.html
http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1475286,00.html
Saturday, November 22, 2008
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 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/
Monday, November 17, 2008
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.
*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
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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."
*Get better soon Joey!! We need you back out there! Here's a big hug from one of your fans. :)
Thursday, November 6, 2008
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.”
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.”
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