• Premier League

Outcast Barton forced to train alone

ESPN staff
August 2, 2011

Transfer-listed midfielder Joey Barton has been forced to train alone by Newcastle United, as relations continue to sour between player and club.

The former England international was made available on a free transfer by the Newcastle board on Monday, despite having a year to run on his current contract.

Club owner Mike Ashley is believed to have grown tired of Barton's criticism of the club on social networking site Twitter, with clubs including Arsenal, Tottenham, Aston Villa and Stoke City all tipped to make a move for the 28-year-old.

Any chance of a reconciliation appears increasingly unlikely, as the player was separated from the rest of the squad on his return to training on Tuesday.

"Made to train alone today, how predictable," Barton revealed on Twitter, before going on to quote George Orwell. "In times of universal deceit, telling the truth will be a revolutionary act."

On Monday evening, Barton's agent Willie McKay revealed a number of 'top clubs' had already made enquiries about the former Manchester City player's services.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Close