The player does at least have the support of his manager, Kevin Keegan, but more significantly he may not have the support of the players. That won’t be anything new to Barton who is used to being vilified by fans, and with good performances he will undoubtedly win back the Newcastle fans, even if the opinions of football fans and fans of every other club will be much harder to change.

Barton is a lucid and clear-speaking individual, in interviews he comes across as sensible and honest about some of the mistakes that he has made in the past. All the same though, he has continued to be involved in off the pitch activities that have more than overshadowed everything that he has ever achieved on the pitch.

As far as England are concerned one would imagine that the door to play for his country is closed, maybe not forever but definitely for as long as Capello is in charge. The Italian has made much of his players being an example both on and off the pitch and Barton does not exactly match that profile.

For the moment international activities should be out of Barton’s mind, there is no guarantee yet that his Newcastle career will continue, and the list of clubs that will take him surely will have dwindled after his jail term. Of course there is always the possibility that Curbishley will add him to the list of angels that currently reside at Upton Park. In all seriousness though, Barton represents an example of some of the difficulties of professional footballers these days, so much money, not all that much intellect, and not all that much to do.

Unfortunately, the problem may be that Newcastle need Barton, or at least they need the player that he is when he is at his best. According to online bookies Blue Square, Newcastle are going to experience a high-mid-table finish this season and they need a midfielder like Barton who can score goals and pull the strings on the pitch. If Barton is at his best and avoids any more trouble he is a great player, but I would not be on Barton staying out of trouble.