Barton deal close to completion

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The 24-year-old midfielder agreed a £5.5million switch from Manchester City earlier this week, but an administrative hitch is holding up Allardyce's second signing after the capture of out-of-contract Middlesbrough striker Mark Viduka.

"I think it's nearly there. We were hoping it was going to be completed - it's not quite there yet," Allardyce told Sky Sports News.

"So maybe in the next couple of days we'll clinch that to add to what would be a very, very good week."

Barton will arrive at St James' Park with a chequered reputation following some high-profile incidents during his young career.

But Allardyce believes he can put an end to the midfielder's misdemeanours.

"He's got a little bit of baggage off the field, yes. I think he admits that himself," the former Bolton boss said.

"In my time at Bolton, we had lots of people come with that sort of reputation but have found that, with a little bit of gentle care and handling, hopefully he'll mature and we'll see the last of those disturbances."