Newcastle Ready To Dump Barton!

"Under-fire Allardyce worked hard to convince new owner Mike Ashley and chairman Chris Mort to sanction the £5.8million transfer from Manchester City and the club had already negotiated a get-out clause if Barton is found guilty next year of assaulting his former City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

"Now facing an additional, but less serious, offence of common assault, which carries a maximum six-month prison sentence, Newcastle are considering their options before Barton's next remand hearing on Thursday.

"That may ultimately entail cancelling his contract but retaining his registration to protect their investment. They could then demand compensation should another club take him on.

"The case would be similar to that of former Chelsea striker Adrian Mutu, sacked when he tested positive for cocaine in 2004. He later joined Juventus then Fiorentina but Chelsea won the right to claim £15m compensation.

"Allardyce refused to comment on his first signing's arrest and detention in a Merseyside prison, but the incident is a major embarrassment to the Newcastle manager, who had vowed to tame the one-time England international.

"Barton, 25, was arrested in his home city of Liverpool in the early hours of Thursday after police were called to a fracas outside a 24-hour burger bar.

"He is said to have been shouting after being goaded by other customers and was asked to leave.

"Seconds later CCTV operators alerted police after seeing the alleged punchup outside the takeaway at around 5.30am.

"Two men claimed they had been attacked by Barton and police arrested the footballer along with his brother Andrew and a woman.

"One of the alleged victims is said to have been knocked out. He was taken to hospital and later released after treatment.

"In a 68-minute hearing, Barton appeared in the dock looking dishevelled. He kept his eyes down throughout the proceedings, speaking only once to confirm his name and address."