Joey Barton

Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton will tonight come face-to-face with Manchester City rival Ousmane Dabo.

In a remarkable twist the pair will go head-to-head – in a reserve game – for the first time since their alleged training ground brawl last May that ended Barton’s City career and left Dabo in hospital – and pressing assault charges, says the Mirror.

Frenchman Dabo was bitter about the bust-up with Barton and has decided to pull no punches in response, with a court case due in the next few weeks.

It is unusual for such adversaries to meet in the run-up to a legal showdown and all eyes will be watching them on the field – but the pair are determined to play.

Barton wants to be fit in a hurry while Dabo is keen to show he is ready for selection or, more likely, a sale in the next transfer window.