Newcastle confirm Barton will stay at the club after release from prison

Barton was yesterday released from prison in Manchester after serving 74 days
of a six month sentence.

Barton leaves Strangeways Prison in Manchester yesterday

A brief message on www.nufc.co.uk said: 'Newcastle United officials can
confirm they have met with Joey Barton today, following which it has been agreed
by everyone involved that Joey will remain with the club.

'The club will not be making any further comment at this time.'

The 25-year-old one-cap England international was jailed for assault and affray
after an incident in Liverpool city centre in December.

He was also given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, after
admitting assault occasioning actual bodily harm on former Manchester City
team-mate Ousmane Dabo during a training session last year.

There were suggestions that Newcastle would part ways with the former City
skipper, but he now has the chance to get his career back on track.

Keegan, who has enjoyed plenty of drama since his shock return to Newcastle
last season, had been clear in his support for Barton - who was signed by Sam
Allardyce for about £5.8million a year ago - and will be pleased that the club's
board share his views.

The former England manager had told Radio Five Live on Sunday: 'He's been
punished for what he did wrong and the world is littered with people who have
deserved a second chance, got it and taken it with both hands.

'There are a lot of things he has to put right with people but I think he can
do that. It's up to Joey now and he's got to win a lot of people over.'

Barton now faces some intensive training as he bids to catch up with his
team-mates in terms of missed coaching sessions, while Keegan must find a way of
harnessing the talents of a player whose ability has too often been overshadowed
by off-field problems.

Meanwhile, Newcastle target Fabricio Coloccini could walk out on Deportivo La
Coruna if they refuse to allow him to complete a switch to St James' Park.

Reports suggest Coloccini has already agreed personal terms with United, who
are understood to have met the Spanish club's original asking price of about
£9.5million.

But Depor have now said they want over £1million more for the Argentina
international, leading Coloccini's agent Marcelo Lombilla to warn he could
invoke FIFA's Article 17 and walk out on the club.