Barton in court on assault charge

Newcastle midfielder Joey Barton appeared in court today accused of assaulting a former Manchester City team-mate in a training ground bust-up.

Barton, 25, appeared at Trafford Magistrates Court to face a charge of assault following the alleged attack on Ousmane Dabo earlier this year.

The England international has already indicated he will plead not guilty to the charge.

The case is expected to go to trial later this year or early next year.

Barton, of Foxbank Close, Widnes, Cheshire, spoke only to confirm his name and personal details during the five-minute committal hearing.

Liverpool-born Barton was arrested after the incident at Manchester City’s training ground complex in Carrington, south Manchester on May 1.

The player, wearing a gunmetal grey suit, blue shirt with a blue patterned tie and brown suede shoes, did not speak to waiting reporters after the hearing.

The assault charge carries a maximum sentence of up to five years in jail if he is convicted.

The player was suspended by Manchester City after the alleged incident and sold by the club to Newcastle in June in a £5.8m deal.

He is now playing in reserve games to restore his fitness after suffering a fractured metatarsal in his left foot during a pre-season friendly.

Barton has said he “strenuously denies” the allegation.

JPs committed his case to Manchester’s Minshull Street Crown Court for a plea and case management hearing on November 22.