Lawyers check if Barton can play

Joey Barton has missed two Newcastle United games

Lawyers for Newcastle United are looking into Joey Barton's bail conditions to see if he is eligible to play for the football club.

They are trying to establish if the 25-year-old could play in the Premier League before he returns to Liverpool for a court hearing on 16 January.

Mr Barton, who lives in Widnes, was released on bail at Liverpool Crown Court after first being remanded.

He is charged with assault and affray after an incident on Boxing night.

The one time England player has already missed games against Manchester City and Chelsea because he was in prison after bail was refused.

He will also miss the club's FA Cup match with Stoke City on Sunday.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce said: "There may be a possibility, certainly not for the Stoke match, but after that there might be the possibility.

"We are doing our research into that with the lawyer and making absolutely certain that there are going to be no rules or regulations set that we might be breaking if we do attempt to get Joey back into the squad."