No Questioning Barton's Loyalty...

Barton was up on Skysports today and thankfully was very professional in how he conducted himself. Barton has re-assured fans that he has no desire to leave the club.

"I love the football club, without a shadow of a doubt, and I think everyone knows that," he told Sky Sports News HD.

"I have a great working relationship with the manager and a lot of the other players, obviously the other senior players who have been through the ups and downs - the likes of myself, Kevin Nolan, Stevie Harper, Smudger.

"It's a difficult situation and I totally understand the club's point of view, but on the flip side it's hard for me to get drawn into it.

"I am an employee of the football club and I have to go back and do a job in the summer. As far as I know I will go back to Newcastle United and play until my contract runs out and they tell me I am no longer needed.

"I have got no ambitions to leave the football club, I don't want to leave the football club, and I would love nothing more than to win a trophy at Newcastle. Whether I get the opportunity to do that is out of my hands.

"I am an employee of the football club and if they choose to do something, I would be foolish not to listen to it. If I'm not wanted then I believe greatly in my ability and I would have to re-evaluate my options.

"That's the situation we are at at the minute. If that's the situation in a month's time then I will report back for pre-season training, if it's not then it's not.

"It's all hypothetical at the minute and I'm just trying to keep myself in shape and get myself ready for a league campaign with Newcastle United next season."

Barton is one player that would be very much welcomed to stay. A season or two out of him and he will be great for us.

The 29yr old to be only has one year left on his contract and Newcastle could do with his leadership for another season even if it meant he left on a free.