Joey Barton Set For Football League Come Back
Notts County manager Kevin Nolan wants to sign former Newcastle team-mate Joey Barton in the summer. The former Burnley midfielder was suspended by the Football Association in April 2017 for breaching betting rules and is banned until 1st June 2018.
Nolan, who played with Barton for two and a half years at Newcastle from January 2009, expects several clubs to be interested in the former Manchester City, QPR, Marseille, Rangers and Burnley player.
The Magpies are fifth in League Two and on course to make the play-offs, with an outside chance of gaining automatic promotion. They are just four points behind the third-place side Wycombe Wanderers with four games left but Wanderers have a game in hand.
Barton, who won one England cap was banned after being found to have placed 1,260 bets on football matches over 10 years, was released by Premier League club Burnley at the end of last season. He has successfully appealed an 18 month suspension which was reduced by almost five months meaning he can return to action next season.
Speaking about Joey Barton signing Kevin Nolan said, “Me and Joey are good friends, he is a top player, a top lad and I really get on well with him. However is probably going to want to play at a higher level. If that doesn’t come to fruition then I am sure there will be a conversation in the summer. We will always be in touch so let’s see what happens.”
