Magpies pencil in Barton's return

Apr 15 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

Although Newcastle will have to cope without their only specialist left-back, José Enrique, against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, the Spaniard could also return against Portsmouth.

Dowie added: “José is recovering a lot quicker than we first imagined. We thought it would be longer than that.”

Meanwhile, Shearer has warned exciting young striker Nile Ranger he had better be prepared for a shock first-team call-up after he revealed the teenager had already caught his eye. The 18-year-old has been in sensational form for the Academy and reserve teams this year and Shearer has hinted he will be involved with the senior side before the end of the season.

He said: “If you’re good enough – it doesn’t matter what age you are. If he can add something to the team, I would have no fear about putting him on.

“I said to all the guys in the reserves, ‘how you play and how you train will determine to me whether you have a part to play trying to help Newcastle United’. I’ve seen a response from all of them, including Nile Ranger and Andy Carroll. I said to Andy and Nile that they both have big roles to play here at this club for the remaining games of the season.”