Barton is now edging closer to his return in January and has suffered no setbacks on his comeback from a knee problem.
He has an England cap and Manchester City fans still e-mail us telling NewcastleUtd-Mad how good he can be on his day.
If Alan Shearer had been made manager there is no doubt Barton would have left the club ... even on a free transfer ... but Hughton continues to back the troubled player.
He knows he owes the Newcastle fans BIG TIME ... but has he the bain cells to keep his nose clean and deliver?