Joey Barton refused to comment today when he was released from jail after serving 74 days of a six-month sentence for beating up a teenager.

The Newcastle midfielder had been in Strangeways prison after pleading guilty to assault and affray following a bust-up outside a McDonald's in Liverpool last Christmas.

On leaving the Manchester jail, Barton was asked by reporters if he had any message for Newcastle's fans.

However, the 25-year-old, flanked by two burly minders, headed straight into a waiting Land Rover without replying.

Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan insists the £40,000-a-week player still has a future at the club.

Keegan said: "He's been punished for what he did wrong and the world is littered with people who have deserved a second chance and taken it with both hands."