NEWCASTLE United appear to be keen to break player power at St James’ Park after Kevin Nolan joined Joey Barton in contract limbo.

With Alan Smith told he should look for a new club this summer as he will not be a regular starter next year, Newcastle could potentially lose three of the players committee which played such a big role in the club’s return to the top flight under previous manager Chris Hughton.

Should Barton be forced to leave – a real possibility given the potential disruption he will cause if he stays for the final year of his contract – and Nolan also decides that the break down in contract talks is an insult he cannot ignore, only Steve Harper will remain of that committee.

The Journal understands that the club’s hierarchy were irritated by the fact senior players are willing to dispute their decision making, as well as the large amount of power they carry at the training ground when it comes to first-team affairs.

Although Chris Hughton was sacked in December and replaced by Alan Pardew, the new manager has sensibly worked with the senior players rather than fought them.

However, despite his public assurances he will get Barton and Nolan to stay, Pardew does not play any part in contract negotiations and is not involved in the arguments and rows which have broken out behind the scenes, despite the successful conclusion to last season.

Nolan, who is 29 and not blessed with pace, rejected the club’s offer of a two-year extension to his current contract a fortnight ago because it was too heavily reliant on incentives to give him the financial package he wanted.

A source close to the former Bolton Wanderers star insisted last night that “there is no sign of a resumption in talks”.