Premier League footballer Joey Barton pleaded guilty today to assaulting a former team-mate in a training ground row.

PROFESSIONAL Footballers’ Association chief executive Gordon Taylor has vowed to support Joey Barton and insists the Newcastle midfielder can still have a future in football.

Joey Barton joined Newcastle today after a chequered career with Manchester City. The midfielder has been in the news for his behaviour as much as his talent.

Stuart Pearce has insisted there will be no negative response from Manchester City to the training ground bust-up that led to Joey Barton being suspended and Ousmane Dabo requiring hospital treatment.

Joey Barton's agent Willie McKay has accused Manchester City of making an example of the player because he is "an easy target".

Manchester City footballer Joey Barton has been arrested on suspicion of assault and criminal damage.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has claimed Joey Barton is becoming the victim of a 'witch-hunt'.

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has spoken of his relief after escaping a ban for baring his backside at Everton fans and expressed regret at his actions.

JOEY BARTON has revealed he has not had an alcoholic drink since being sent home in disgrace from Manchester City’s pre-season tour of Thailand.

Joey Barton may be about to strike a peace deal with Manchester City.

Unrepentant Joey Barton is preparing to face down Manchester City’s irate fans at Eastlands after branding the club’s £28,000-a-week contract offer “unacceptable”.

Manchester City boss Stuart Pearce has warned want-away midfielder Joey Barton there will be no more money on the table in any fresh contract negotiations.

Joey Barton’s agent Willie McKay claimed the player’s shock transfer request was not about money – but then stated if Manchester City had offered what they asked for the midfielder would have signed a new contract.

Manchester City remain hopeful they can persuade Joey Barton to sign a new contract after wrapping up the £6m (€8.8m) signing of Georgios Samaras from Heerenveen.

After a week that saw Shaun Wright-Phillips sign for Chelsea and Joey Barton sent home from the club’s pre-season trip to Thailand in disgrace, Manchester City manager Stuart Pearce dismissed the difficulties of the last seven days.

Joey Barton’s future at Manchester City looks in doubt after the fiery midfielder was sent home from the team’s pre-season trip to Thailand following a fracas in a hotel bar.

MANCHESTER CITY midfielder Joey Barton has been sent home from the team’s trip to Thailand following an alleged altercation in a hotel bar with a 15-year-old Everton fan.

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton faces being sent home from the club’s pre-season tour to Thailand in disgrace after becoming involved in an altercation with a 15-year-old Everton fan at the team’s hotel.

JOEY BARTON could be handed a chance at instant redemption as Manchester City look to make it third time lucky against the Premiership’s basement boys at Eastlands today.

Joey Barton is set to earn an immediate recall as Manchester City look to bounce back from their Boxing Day defeat at Everton by inflicting more misery on rock-bottom West Brom at Eastlands.

Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan has told Joey Barton to follow Richard Dunne’s example if he wants to rebuild his shattered image.

Disgraced midfielder Joey Barton has offered Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan a personal apology for his behaviour at the players’ infamous Christmas party last weekend.

Disgraced midfielder Joey Barton will be in Manchester City’s squad for the Boxing Day trip to Everton.

SEETHING Manchester City chairman John Wardle has accused disgraced midfielder Joey Barton of letting the club down.

Manchester City midfielder Joey Barton has been handed a record fine of six weeks’ wages after being found guilty of gross misconduct following an internal investigation into an incident at the club’s Christmas party on Sunday.

PLAYERS’ UNION boss Gordon Taylor has admitted traditional Christmas parties are an accident waiting to happen.