Joey Barton is nearing his Newcastle United debut.

Barton could make his full Newcastle debut against Tottenham a week on Monday after coming through a closed-doors friendly against Rangers at Newcastle's training ground yesterday.

Toon boss Sam Allardyce said: "Getting him back on to the scene is important, but we must do it properly.

"You always want your top players fit.

"His record at Man City speaks for itself and hopefully he will have a similar one with Newcastle."