JOEY BARTON will NOT be involved when Newcastle United go in against Arsenal in Saturday’s FA Cup fourth round tie at The Emirates Stadium.
Kevin Keegan told the Chronicle yesterday: “I am looking forward to Joey Barton getting back.”
This would only have been possible at The Emirates on Saturday if Barton had travelled between North London and the Sporting chance Clinic in Hampshire, where he has a seven pm curfew, by helicopter.
But I understand that this will not happen and Barton will not be considered for a place in the United line-up against Arsene Wenger’s side on Saturday.
And it is touch and go whether Mark Viduka will be fit to play against Arsenal after the Aussie striker pulled out of Saturday’s goalless draw with Bolton after picking up a calf problem in training the day before.
A scan has revealed that the injury was not as bad as was first feared but it is still touch and go whether Viduka will be ready for the FA Cup tie on Saturday.
But if he fails to make it on Saturday, United will be hoping that their five-goal striker is with them when they return to The Emirates for their Premier League date with Arsenal on Tuesday night.
By then Keegan will be hoping that he has a least one new player in a black-and-white shirt.
Whether it is Jonathan Woodgate remains to be seen. Keegan of course knows all about Woodgate as he gave him his England debut but will the cultured defenders injury record be a problem?
The official line from Middlesbrough will be that Woodgate is not for sale to United, Spurs or anyone else but they know they have an unhappy player on their hands at the moment.
Meanwhile, Lazio striker Goran Pandev insists United have made a bid for him but how many times in the past have we heard players or their agents claiming this?
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