JOEY Barton last night claimed Newcastle were a far bigger club than his previous employers, Manchester City, and described the Magpies as one of the few teams capable of breaking into the established big four.

Barton made his first competitive Newcastle appearance on Tuesday night, playing for 45 minutes as the club's reserve-team played out a 2-2 draw at Manchester City's Regional Athletics Arena.

Despite being playfully barracked by the home support, the combative midfielder made some typically hefty challenges in his first run-out since breaking a metatarsal in a pre-season friendly at Carlisle.

Since leaving City in the summer, the 25-year-old has been forced to watch his former club transform themselves into genuine European contenders under chairman Thaksin Shinawatra and manager Sven-Goran Eriksson.

Last weekend's 3-1 win over the Magpies suggested it was City rather than Newcastle who were best placed to challenge the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal for a place among Europe's elite.

But having experienced life on both sides of the fence, Barton is adamant that his current employers boast far more potential than the side he left in the summer.

"It is important that the City fans don't get too carried away with a couple of results," said the England international. "Hopefully, we'll get the kind of investment they got at Manchester City and get a similar result.

"I think Newcastle can be as big as they want to be. No disrespect to City but, in Manchester, Manchester United will always be top dog. As much as they want to believe it can change, it is not going to.

"The big thing about Newcastle is there is only Newcastle in Newcastle. Newcastle could be a big side and turn it from a big four into a big five."

Barton's more immediate concern is building up his fitness to a level that will enable him to compete for a starting spot in the first team.

Last week, the midfielder was targeting Sunday's home game with Everton and claiming he was confident of being involved against the side he supported as a boy.

Those claims were quickly rebuffed by Sam Allardyce on Monday, though, with the Newcastle boss insisting Barton remained "up to a month" away from a first-team return.

The truth probably lies somewhere in between, with the visit of Tottenham on October 22 now looking like the most realistic target, but Barton denies he has been at loggerheads with his manager over his comeback date.

"We have different ideas on when I'm fit because I just can't wait to get back playing," he explained. "But I understand he doesn't want to take any risks and my next game will probably be for the reserves against Wigan next Monday.

"After that we've got two weeks when I can get some good work done on the training ground during the international break.

"But it was great to get back out there against Man City and get 45 minutes under my belt. The foot is still a little bit sore but the surgeon has said that would be the case when I first started playing again.

"Hopefully, when I do come back I'll bring some goals to the team and I just can't wait."

While Barton will not be involved against Everton this weekend, fellow midfielder Emre is available to take on the Toffees after also appearing for the reserves on Tuesday.

The Turkey international, who has suffered from shin and ankle problems, has played just two minutes of Premier League football this season, but despite being linked with a January return to his homeland, he insists he is willing to fight for a place in the side.

"My aim is to get in the first team," said Emre, who is expected to be named in the Turkey squad for this month's Euro 2008 qualifiers against Moldova and Greece.

"It has been a difficult four months for me but I will work very hard in training."