The 24-year-old has fractured a metatarsal during Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw at Carlisle and the England international faces six or seven weeks
on the sidelines.
I'm sure the new Newcastle boss must now agree with previous Toon managers when the likes of Sir Bobby Robson, Graeme Souness and Glenn Roeder all suggested "this club is cursed", because they too had an injury list that defied belief.
Allardyce Faces 'The Curse Of St James' Park'!
Allardyce said he had the answer to the problem, by introducing a scientific approach to training. But let's give the fella a break (if you pardon the pun) ... he has hardly set foot in the place and already he has been robbed of Barton and star striker Michael Owen.
Owen missing the game at Brunton Park with a minor thigh strain, but Barton's misfortune is long term.
It brings back memories of Barry Fry when he first took over at Birmingham City.
He was told of a Gypsy Curse that plagued the club dating back to when they moved to St Andrews in 1906, which was why the had never won the league or FA Cup. So he p*ssed on all four corners of the ground and said: "that's got rid of the curse!"
Sadly ... they were relegated that season.