NEWCASTLE UNITED have called in the lawyers to deal with Joey Barton after the controversial midfielder directed a string of insults at the club's owner Mike Ashley.
Ashley and Newcastle's managing director, Derek Llambias, are furious at many aspects of Barton's recent outburst, in which he also claimed that he was forced out in a row over bonuses.
And the Queens Park Rangers man responded further last night, claiming that he would take a lie detector test on live television.
The latest row erupted this week when Barton alleged four other senior players, as well as himself, were moved on after they stood up to Ashley and Llambias when they were not being listened to over bonuses.
Barton in an interview with QPR podcast, also went on to label Ashley the "Ayatollah" at the club while suggesting the sportswear magnate thought the players were "subordinates at Sports Direct", the Newcastle chief's business.
But Newcastle have responded furiously. In a statement from Llambias he stated last night: "In a week when one of Newcastle United's most beloved footballers passed away, it is disappointing that once again Joey Barton makes the headlines.
"It is also unfortunate that Joey chose to draw such a disparaging comparison between himself and the employees of Sports Direct, who through hard work and dedication are the recipients of one of the most generous bonus schemes in UK retailing.
"It may not be a lot of money to Joey, but over 2,000 Sports Direct employees earning £20,000 will receive shares worth over £44,000 over the next two years.
"However, in this week of all weeks, we really do not wish to engage in a public war of words with Joey Barton. Our legal advisors are dealing with the matter now and we would encourage Joey to concentrate on his football at Queens Park Rangers.
"Our thoughts and attentions this week remain firmly with the family and friends of Gary Speed."
Llambias is keen to draw a line under the Barton situation, knowing there has been regular criticism from the player towards the club since he left in August.
But the 29-year-old QPR star was at it again last night, tweeting: "Seen Llambias' comments, he is crass and has no class. I'll leave it for another day, but if he wants to take a polygraph live on tv, let's do it."
While Barton has been highly critical of the Ashley regime, another former Newcastle player has claimed that manager Alan Pardew could lead them to a shock finish in the Premier League this season. The Magpies are fourth in the top-flight ahead of this Saturday's visit of fifth-placed Chelsea, which has shocked the top-flight.
But Chris Waddle thinks Newcastle could be around to stay, with the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool and Arsenal all stuttering to find top form.
"At the minute, they've got the package right, they've just got to sustain it, and in January you've got to strengthen," said Waddle. "He might say 'This squad could take me to the end of the season', but then again, you look and think 'Can we be greedy here?'.
"Chelsea are stuttering, Arsenal's not the team they were, Tottenham are playing well and Liverpool are decent, so you do think third or fourth at times are up for grabs, if you can just add to it. Realistically though, if they finish eighth, ninth, tenth, they'll have had a fantastic season."
And while fans are still dubious about some of the decisions that Ashley has made, Waddle feels that in Pardew Newcastle have a manager capable of ensuring the good run continues.
"Alan's come in and probably thought 'I'm not the public's choice', but he's rolled his sleeves up and got on with it, and now he's getting his rewards," he said. "You're starting to hear the fans sing 'Alan Pardew's black and white army'. He's done a fantastic job. He's recruited really well, he's got a good squad there now.
"Whatever the background was to letting people like Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton leave, and Andy Carroll went last January, to lose players like that was massive.
"But although they're not household names, he's brought good players in and they've surprised people. But the players have gelled. There's not a star player and I think that's working in their favour.
Chris Waddle was a guest of England sponsors Vauxhall, speaking to employees at a question and answer session on North Tyneside.
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