Pardew monitoring Barton fitness

New Newcastle boss Alan Pardew will hope for a major fitness boost as he prepares for his first game in charge against Liverpool tomorrow night.

Midfielder Joey Barton missed last weekend’s 3-1 defeat at West Brom with a slight groin injury which delayed his return from a three-match ban, while skipper Kevin Nolan is expected to be fit following the ankle problem which has sidelined him for the last two games.