But Joe Kinnear will certainly not want to take chances on a player who is unpredictable at best ... a "nutter" at worst!
Barton, 26, is poised to launch his latest attempt at personal rehabilitation following a six-match ban.
Barton Set For Derby Heat?
But Joe Kinnear will certainly not want to take chances on a player who is unpredictable at best ... a "nutter" at worst!
Barton, 26, is poised to launch his latest attempt at personal rehabilitation following a six-match ban.
Willie McKay: "After what he has been through there's no way he will be daunted by playing at Sunderland even though it is such a passionate fixture.
"Joey's disciplinary record hasn't been too bad so if selected he will be ready to make a fresh start and everyone can be sure he will give 100 per cent for the Newcastle cause and show what a valuable player he can be for the rest of the season.
"Joey will do his talking on the pitch.
"He knows that he has got to pay a lot of people back at Newcastle for standing by him right from the chairman to the supporters and he is really determined to do that on the pitch this season.
"Make no mistakes he's had a hard time himself and was really grateful for the support that Kevin Keegan showed to him when he came back to manage at St James' Park.
"The same applies to Joe Kinnear. Joey has been training really hard to make sure he's in good condition and he can't wait to start playing again for Newcastle to make up for lost time.
"Joey's still a fine player and he will make sure that he shows he is worth every penny of the money Newcastle paid for him."