JOEY Barton returns to training at Newcastle United tomorrow for the first time since his Anfield bust-up with Alan Shearer.
The controversial midfielder was told to stay away from Newcastle's Benton HQ by a furious Shearer in the wake of his dismissal in the 3-0 defeat to Liverpool early last month, as the crisis-torn club lurched further towards the Championship.
Shea
rer and Barton – who went on to serve a three-game ban just when United needed him most – had to be pulled apart in the dressing room after the game.
And Shearer decided that Barton would have to leave the club if he was appointed manager, though his agent, Willie McKay, insisted the 26-year-old would not be forced out of St James's Park.
However, Barton will be back for the start of pre-season training along with the bulk of his Newcastle colleagues.
Coaches Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and Paul Barron are in temporary charge while efforts continue to find a buyer for the club, and for the time being £60,000-a-week Barton, among the players being touted for sale by the First Artists agency, will play a full part in United's pre-season.
"Everyone apart from the five international players will be back, including Joey," Hughton said.
"I've not spoken to him, but he'll be back for pre-season tomorrow and we'll take things from there."
Barton's Newcastle career, which included a spell in jail last summer, has been as controversial as his time at previous club Manchester City and the Liverpudlian has made just 26 starts in two years after his £5.8m move to St James's Park.
