Jailed Newcastle midfielder Barton is denied early release and faces at least five more weeks behind bars

Barton, 25, has served just eight weeks of a six-month sentence for beating up two strangers outside a McDonald's in his home city of Liverpool and was being considered for early release this week.

But yesterday officials confirmed they have ditched the idea and now Barton will have to remain in Strangeways Prison until his half-way point on August 13, four days before the start of the season.

Flashback: The Joey Barton attack that landed him in prison

A Greater Manchester Probation Service spokeswoman said: 'There was some discussion about whether he was suitable and it was considered but it was decided he was not eligible for a tag.

'He is now not due for release until 13 August and will be transferred to the Northumbria Probation Service.'

To add to the probation service doubts over early release, only last week Barton received a suspended term for punching ex Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo in a separate case.

Problems: Joe Barton

Yesterday morning, Strangeways prisoner Dean Dolman, 28, of Plymouth, was released for serving 27 days for shoplifting in Preston, Lancs, and said Barton was signing autographs in exchange for Mars bars.

Dolman claimed: 'I was on a different wing to Barton but heard he was signing his autograph for Mars bars. He has also been refused a tag and won't be release for five weeks.'

Barton is also serving a four-month jail sentence, suspended for two years, after a separate conviction for a 'ferocious' training ground attack on former Manchester City colleague Ousmane Dabo, which left his victim unconscious and bleeding.

He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid community work and pay
£3,000 compensation to Dabo and court costs of £3,430.

He was on bail over the Dabo incident when he got involved in the fight outside a McDonald's restaurant in Liverpool city centre last December.

The court heard the player, who had been on a night out with friends and family and had consumed ten pints of lager and five bottles of lager, led his group into the McDonald's for food at about 5am on December 27.

The party became involved in a confrontation with a group of youths and outside the restaurant the rows continued, and Barton was caught on CCTV knocking an unidentified man to the ground.

He then straddled the man and punched him up to 20 times.

Moments later, the player attacked 16-year-old Jordan Spencer, punching him in the mistaken belief the youth had assaulted his cousin.

The punch broke a number of Mr Spencer's teeth and, as it took place, a member
of Barton's group was shouting: 'Stamp on him, Joey, stamp on his head.'