Bailed out - but for how long?

So, after spending New Year's Eve in the nick, he's free to do what he wants to do - though presumably not to get loaded, have a good time and kick off outside another city centre McDonalds.

Following today's videolink "appearance" at Liverpool Crown Court, Joey Barton was granted the bail previously refused him by the magistrates - but in the knowledge that he'll be back on 16th January.

The prospect of him turning out for us in Sunday's FA Cup tie at Stoke - even with a Jermaine Pennant style tag - seems unlikely. Barton may have been picked up from prison by Peter Kay, chief exec of the Sporting Chance Clinic, but the club's refusal to comment on events - and thus refusal to lend any backing to Barton's cause - suggests that he may have already burned his bridges on Tyneside.