JOEY Barton could start against Liverpool tomorrow as Alan Shearer weighs up whether to risk the combative midfielder, even though he has only played a handful of games this season because of injury.

Barton has not featured for Newcastle United since breaking his metatarsal against former club Manchester City back in January and is frantically trying to make his comeback in time to help his team get out of the relegation zone.

The 26-year-old made a shock appearance on the substitutes’ bench against Portsmouth on Monday night and Shearer is tempted to involve him from the beginning this weekend because of the different qualities he brings to the side.

“I’ve yet to make a decision on Joey,” said Shearer. “He gives us something different to the rest of the midfield, ie he can get beyond the forwards or slot one of the forwards in. I’ve got to decide whether he’s fit enough to start the game, or can he come on and change the game? He’s impressed me.

“He’s wanted to play ever since I’ve come here, but it’s not been right because of his injury. We all know that when he comes back he’ll be judged, so he’s got to be right. We believe he is fit, otherwise he wouldn’t have been on the bench on Monday.” Meanwhile, Shearer knows his side must convert the few chances that come their way against Liverpool following the profligacy against Pompey.

He added: “We’ll get one chance, at least. I know we haven’t a lot of time, so when they come along we have to take them. The pleasing thing the other night was we created chances. The disappointing thing is that we didn’t take them.”