NEWCASTLE United's Joey Barton is winning his fitness race and his long-awaited competitive debut could arrive at the club he turned his back on, Manchester City.

Barton has not played since suffering a broken metatarsal in the friendly at Carlisle United on July 21, but his rehabilitation has gone to plan.

The £5.8m buy from City has been working hard in the gym and he is scheduled to start light running at the start of next week.

Although there is no chance of him being available for the matches with Derby County or West Ham, the lunch-time fixture at the City of Manchester Stadium on September 29 is in his sights.

Barton, a product of the City academy and a former captain, would love to head back to his former employers with Newcastle and he is sure to receive a hostile reception.

There is also a chance he could figure against Arsenal in the Carling Cup at the Emirates Stadium on September 25, although the trip to City would appear to be more likely.

Barton spent last week in Portugal with Damien Duff as both players looked to take further steps towards recovering from their injuries.

Newcastle have had 12 players on international duty over the last ten days and manager Sam Allardyce is keeping his fingers crossed this morning there were no casualties last night.

Allardyce has also been using the international break to improve the fitness of a number of his other players.

Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi, Cacapa, Steve Harper, Jose Enrique and Nicky Butt were among those to stay on Tyneside and work on their fitness levels.

* Ticket prices for Newcastle's Carling Cup tie at Arsenal are £10 for adults with concessions £5.