Alan Pardew reveals Joey Barton will not be offered new Newcastle contract but expects midfielder to stay

Joey Barton, Newcastle United (Getty Images)

Related Links

Teams

Players

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is not worried about the failure to agree a new contract with midfielder Joey Barton.

Barton, who was in excellent form last season, is now in the last 12 months of his current deal and has spoken out about his unhappiness at not being rewarded with a long-term contract.

But Pardew insisted that Barton could well stay at St James’ Park beyond next summer, even if a new deal is not on the horizon for the time being.

He told The Newcastle Evening Chronicle: “I have spoken to Joey, and unfortunately at the moment there is no new contract for him.

“He has a year remaining and I think he will stay for that year.

“Who’s to say that, in a year’s time, Joey won’t be offered a contract by Newcastle that he finds acceptable?”

The former Charlton boss suggested that shorter-term contracts might represent the future for Premier League players.

“I think, like a lot of players, that yearly term contracts in the Premier League are going to be the norm,” said Pardew.

And the 49-year-old showed no sign of any intent to lessen his reliance on Barton as a result of the contract dispute, and praised the midfielder’s ability.

“He really had a fantastic season last year but I’m hoping he will play better next season. I don’t see why he shouldn’t,” he added by way of encouragement.

Barton faces increased competition for places at St James’ Park following the recent acquisitions of Yohan Cabaye, Sylvain Marveaux and Mehdi Abeid.