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Joey Barton has been denied access to his home city, Livetpool, as part of his bail conditions - giving Newcastle United a problem ahead of this weekend's Liverpool v Newcastle Premier League clash.
As they strive to keep their heads above the relegation zone, Newcastle United will have to take on Liverpool at Anfierld without midfielder Joey Barton.
The courts have turned down the club's appeal to permit Barton to play in the city when the Magpies take on Liverpool and Everton.
Barton, 25, was involved in an incident in Liverpool city centre in December and subsequently charged with assault and affray. He is currently out of prison on bail, awaiting trial.
Newcastle, currently three points above the bottom three, visit Anfield on Saturday, and return to Merseyside to face Everton on the last day of the season.
Although Barton has appeared infrequently for the Magpies since his £5.8 million move from Manchester City last summer because of a pre-season metatarsal injury and then his off-the-field problems, Kevin Keegan - still searching for his win in his second spell as manager - needs all the players he can muster ro help drag the club clear of relegation worries.
Newcastle's last victory in the Premier League was 11 games ago, at Craven Cottage on December 15th.
Under Barton's bail conditions, the England international had initially been required to spend nights at the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire, although that condition was subsequently relaxed so that he could live on Tynside, as well as play in Newcastle's away and evening fixtures.
At a court hearing this week, Newcastle made a request for Barton to feature at Anfield on Saturday, and at Goodison on May 11th.
But the request was refused.
Joey Barton has been denied access to his home city, Livetpool, as part of his bail conditions - giving Newcastle United a problem ahead of this weekend's Liverpool v Newcastle Premier League clash.
As they strive to keep their heads above the relegation zone, Newcastle United will have to take on Liverpool at Anfierld without midfielder Joey Barton.
The courts have turned down the club's appeal to permit Barton to play in the city when the Magpies take on Liverpool and Everton.
Barton, 25, was involved in an incident in Liverpool city centre in December and subsequently charged with assault and affray. He is currently out of prison on bail, awaiting trial.
Newcastle, currently three points above the bottom three, visit Anfield on Saturday, and return to Merseyside to face Everton on the last day of the season.
Although Barton has appeared infrequently for the Magpies since his £5.8 million move from Manchester City last summer because of a pre-season metatarsal injury and then his off-the-field problems, Kevin Keegan - still searching for his win in his second spell as manager - needs all the players he can muster ro help drag the club clear of relegation worries.
Newcastle's last victory in the Premier League was 11 games ago, at Craven Cottage on December 15th.
Under Barton's bail conditions, the England international had initially been required to spend nights at the Sporting Chance Clinic in Hampshire, although that condition was subsequently relaxed so that he could live on Tynside, as well as play in Newcastle's away and evening fixtures.
At a court hearing this week, Newcastle made a request for Barton to feature at Anfield on Saturday, and at Goodison on May 11th.
But the request was refused.
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