NOLAN IS KEEN ON LURING BANNED BARTON
NOTTS County manager Kevin Nolan has revealed he is keen to sign midfielder Joey Barton this summer.
Barton was banned for 18 months by the Football Association for breaching betting rules in April 2017, which cut short his second spell with Premier League side Burnley.
His suspension was subsequently reduced by five months on appeal, meaning the 35-year-old former QPR man is free to play again after June 1.
He has also been linked with a move to Aston Villa, but Nolan is hoping his friendship with former Newcastle team-mate Barton, who won one cap for England in 2007, will help persuade him to move to Meadow Lane.
“Me and Joey are good friends,” Nolan told BBC
Radio Nottingham. “He is a top player, a top lad, and I really get on well with him.
“We will always be in touch, so let’s see what happens.
“Joey is probably going to want to play at a higher level, and if that doesn’t come to fruition then I am sure there will be a conversation in the summer.
“He describes himself as ‘Joey’ on the pitch and ‘Joseph’ off it, and I respect both of them very highly.”
Nolan and Barton were team-mates for two-and-ahalf years at St James’ Park and helped the Toon Army win promotion from the Championship at the first time of asking in 200910.
Nolan has also put an offer on the table for striker Shola Ameobi to join County’s coaching staff, should the 36-year-old decide to retire from playing at the end of the season.
Ameobi said: “It’s a tough one. My mind wants to (continue), but I have always said I will take stock at the end of every season and give myself a couple of weeks to mull it over, and see if I am good to go.”