Joey Barton insists he has no intention of following Kevin Nolan through the exits at Newcastle.
Magpies midfielder would be happy to stay put
Joey Barton insists he has no intention of following Kevin Nolan through the exits at Newcastle.
The Magpies midfielder has aired his disappointment at learning of the news that Nolan is undergoing a medical at West Ham and is closing on a move to the capital.
He joked on Twitter that he could be among those offloaded by Alan Pardew in the next few weeks, with his future having generated plenty of speculation of late.
Barton, though, claims that he will not be pushing for a switch elsewhere and maintains that he is happy at St James' Park.
"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 (Alan Smith).
Ambitions
"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."
