It might not be everyone's idea of a Monday night out but at Kingston Park Joey Barton closed in on his target of being in Sam Allardyce's side for the clash with Tottenham at St James' Park two weeks tonight.
Barton once again showed some great touches and played 65 minutes of the 3-1 win over Wigan as the most senior member of Lee Clark's squad.
Over 600 punters turned up to cheer Barton's latest steps on the comeback trail after he shattered his foot at Carlisle back in July and he was afforded a warm round of applause when he came off mid-way through the second half.
His first half goal on 19 minutes was his first in a Toon top and although it came in front of an empty terrace it clearly meant the world to Barton as he cracked home from eight yards at KP.
Also on the scoresheet was Dutch ace Frank Diafe Danquah who grabbed his first second string goal just days after his 18th birthday after recovering from a serious knee injury.
Skipper for the night Matty Pattison sealed the win with a deflected long range effort and although Wigan pulled one back late on it was always going to be United and Barton's night in the leafy Tyneside suburb.
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