Magpies boss refuses to bow to pressure surrounding Barton

NEWCASTLE boss Joe Kinnear will not allow the furore surrounding Joey Barton to cloud his judgment ahead of tonight’s must-win clash with West Brom.

The Magpies head into the game looking for their first Premier League victory since August 23 and still licking their wounds after Saturday’s derby defeat at Sunderland, their first on Wearside for 28 years.

Barton proved a central character at the Stadium of Light despite being on the field only for the last few minutes following his return from a six-game disciplinary ban.