Alan Smith and Joey Barton return in January

With the injury situation slowly improving around St James’ Park, the Toon Army can look forward to the return of Alan Smith and Joey Barton in the later stages January.

Joe Kinnear said of the situation:

“We have just had Joey’s injury re-assessed and the doctor and physio team tell me we can expect to have him back in the middle of January. And now he has a date to aim for, it will give Joey a big lift.

“The same applies to Alan Smith, who we are hoping to have back with us by the end of January following his injury problems.”

At the age of twenty-eight, Alan Smith is faced with the task of turning around his once promising career that started at Leeds. A highly skilled player he has been his own worst nightmare, lacking discipline and finally fell out of favour at Manchester United after a distasteful situation forced the clubs hand.