Newcastle’s plans for the new season have sufffered a setback with the news that midfielder Joey Barton will be out of axtion for six weeks after fracturing a metatarsal in his left foot.
Barton, who joined the club in a £5.8m deal last month, underwent surgery on Monday after sustaining the injury in Saturday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Carlisle.
A statement on the club website said: “He sustained a partial fracture of the fifth metatarsal in his left foot.”
Barton made his debut for the Magpies against Hartlepool on Tuesday and manager Sam Allardyce appointed him as captain at Carlisle.
Striker Michael Owen was omitted from the Newcastle line-up because of a minor thigh strain.
