Barton not allowed on Merseyside March 05 2008
Newcastle have had their appeal to allow Joey Barton to play against Liverpool this weekend turned down by the courts.
Barton is not allowed on Merseyside as part of the bail conditions ahead of his trial for assault and affray after an incident in Liverpool city centre in December.
The Magpies have appealed for Barton to be able to face the Reds and then their city rivals Everton later this season but they have been denied.
Although Toon manager Kevin Keegan may regard that as bad news, fans may be pleased that he will have to find an alternative to the midfield misfit.