Newcastle have confirmed that Joey Barton is set to be sidelined for up to two momnths after damaging knee ligaments during Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Wigan.
The midfielder limped off after just 17 minutes on the clock, and left the stadium on crutches.
The Newcastle medical staff have confirmed that the 26-year-old suffered a slight tear to his right medial ligament, an injury which is expected to keep him out of action for some time.
A club spokesman said: “After further assessment today following scans yesterday, he has damage to his right medial ligament and will be out for eight weeks.”
Barton, who picked up the injury in an innocuous-looking challenge with Lee Cattermole, has vowed to bounce back.
He said: “I am not blaming Lee Cattermole in any way for this injury. It was a 50-50 ball and we both went for it, and these things happen.
“Obviously, it’s disappointing and frustrating, and my sole intention is to knuckle down and bounce back and get fit again to help the Newcastle United cause.”
Barton has struggled to make at St James’ Park since completing a £5.8million switch from Manchester City last summer. After serving 74-day prison sentence over the summer he ws also handed a 12-game ban, six of which were suspended, following a training ground incident involving former City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.
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