Newcastle to Stick By Barton After Pleading Guilty to Dabo Assault

Joey Barton is expected to be offered one last chance by Newcastle United, but will almost certainly be required to accept a modest reduction in his salary and adhere to a strict code of conduct.

The Newcastle midfielder was yesterday given a four-month suspended sentence after pleading guilty to assaulting Ousmane Dabo, his former Manchester City team-mate, following a training ground row during the spring of 2007.

Barton is currently serving a six-month prison sentence for another assault, which took place in Liverpool city center last December, but is due for early release and it is anticipated that the 25-year-old will be freed within the next three to 10 days wearing an electronic tag.

Once that happens, and conceivably even earlier, Barton and his representatives will meet Kevin Keegan, Newcastle's manager, Derek Llambias, the club's new managing director, Dennis Wise, the executive director (football) and possibly Mike Ashley, Newcastle's owner, to discuss the way forward. While in recent weeks club sources said Ashley was "determined" Barton would be punished, the billionaire sports retailer is believed to have softened his stance in recent days.

Nonetheless, during the meeting with Newcastle's hierarchy, Barton will be asked to accept a cut in his £65,000 a week wages. He is also likely to be asked to follow strict rules governing his lifestyle. Should Barton decline Newcastle's demands, the club could either sack or put the player on the transfer list. Dismissal, though, would effectively involve Newcastle resigning themselves to losing a player who cost £5.8m when he joined from Manchester City on a five-year contract last summer on a free transfer.

The prospect of being released free is usually attractive to footballers, but Barton's off-field reputation could well deter potential employers, and he would be highly unlikely to attract a club as big as Newcastle. Equally, the prospects of selling him on for anything more than a nominal fee look slim, particularly after video footage of the assault in Liverpool was released yesterday.

Moreover, Barton enjoys the support of Keegan, who has repeatedly vowed to stand by him and help change his life. With transfer funds seemingly tighter than originally envisaged and a distinct lack of new signings this summer, Newcastle's owner may be reluctant to clash with Keegan by dispensing with the services of an effective midfielder who could not be replaced cheaply.

Meanwhile, Everton are confident of securing the services of Steve Round, Keegan's former first-team coach, as manager David Moyes's new assistant this week, but must first resolve a legal wrangle with Newcastle. While Everton believe Round's contract at St James' Park expires today, the Tyneside club insist they hold a one-year extension option and are demanding compensation.