Barton, of course, could not play at Anfield last season because of the bail conditions imposed as he prepared to face charges of assault and affray after an incident in Liverpool city centre.
Shearer: "Whether he will start or not, I am not prepared to give away, but it is nice to have him back in the squad because he probably gives us something different to what the other midfielders do.
"He will give us someone who will run beyond the front players, he will give us maybe a pass on to one of the front players."