Barton to miss start of season

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton will undergo surgery on a fractured metatarsal today as he faces up to missing the start of the new Premier League season.

The £5.8m summer signing is expected to be sidelined for six weeks after suffering a partial break during Saturday's 1-1 friendly draw at Carlisle.

Barton underwent a scan after the game which revealed the damage, and with just three weeks to go before the new campaign gets under way, the 24-year-old will be a frustrated onlooker when his team-mates launch their season.

The injury was confirmed in a statement released on the club's official website, www.nufc.co.uk.

It said: "Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton will have an operation on Monday after suffering a foot injury during Saturday's pre-season friendly at Carlisle United.

"The England international, who was skipper for the 1-1 draw at Brunton Park, sustained a partial fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.

"The Magpies expect Joey to return in six weeks."

The news will come as a blow to manager Sam Allardyce, who named Barton as his captain at Brunton Park in only his second game for the club.

Allardyce made the 24-year-old his second summer signing within days of replacing Glenn Roeder at St James' Park, and he was impressive in his debut at Hartlepool on Tuesday evening.

He teamed up well with Nicky Butt in central midfield, and the manager will now have to consider his options for the opening weeks of the season.

The former Bolton boss is currently concentrating on his defence as he chases up to four new signings, and he is well served with midfielders.

Kieron Dyer much prefers a central role than the right-sided position in which he has played much of his football for Newcastle, while Turkey international Emre will be a contender if he can prove his fitness after an ankle injury.

James Milner and Charles N'Zogbia have also played centrally, but have more often been used as wingers.

Allardyce at least has time to test his options with Celtic heading for St James' on Thursday evening and Juventus following three days later before a trip to Hull and the visit of Sampdoria bring down the curtain on his preparations.