Soccer thug Joey Barton's ex-teammate sues over nightclub assault more than three years ago

The midfielder, who was recently freed from prison after he was convicted of assault, is set to be hauled back before the courts after ex-colleague Jamie Tandy decided to sue.

Tandy, now 23, was permanently scarred after the incident in 2004. But now he claims the fracas sent him on a downward spiral, which saw him turn to drink and even attempt suicide.

Newcastle United footballer Joey Barton is being sued by a former teammate over an assault in a nightclub more than 3 1/2 years ago

Drink-driver: James Tandy

It is understood that legal proceedings have yet start, but Barton's solicitors have been informed.

Barton, then a first team star at Manchester City, and Tandy, a youngster on the verge of breaking through, were at the club's Christmas party where they had an argument.

But the row escalated and resulted in Barton sticking the cigar in Tandy's eye. He was fined three weeks' wages, £60,000, and just avoided being sacked by the club.

Tandy, who suffered no permanent damage to his vision, went on loan to a Danish club where he broke his leg, leading to the end of his professional football career.

The young player was released by the Blues but turned to booze and tried to kill himself by crashing a car into a lamppost.

The father-of-two said legal action 'has been a long time coming' and added: 'I don't see why he should get off scot-free while I'm left with nothing.'

The decision to sue Barton emerged at Manchester Magistrates' Court, where Tandy, from the Whitefield area of the city, appeared on two charges of drink-driving.

He admitted driving with excess alcohol on August 3, but denied a similar offence in February.

He pleaded guilty to driving without a licence and insurance and is on bail until September 11.

Barton, now at Newcastle United, was released from jail last month after assaulting a man in Liverpool.

He was also given a suspended sentence in July after pleading guilty to assaulting another team-mate, Ousmane Dabo, in training.

Tandy, who is working for a window cleaning company, is expected to sign semi-professional terms with Hyde United.

Barton's agent, Willie McKay, said he was 'unaware' of the pending legal action.