Alan Pardew: 'Joey Barton is management material'

Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has welcomed the idea that Joey Barton could become a manager after the player hangs up his boots.

Pardew also hints that the midfielder has already asked him for advice about management once he does retire.

"Joey isn't going to go away quietly," he told Sky Sports News.

"I am sure he has got a plan. I think Joey possibly could go down that line.

"It is a question for Joey. I have always enjoyed working with him and we still have the odd communication - just now and then, and I am not elaborating on that."

Barton will come up against his former employers on Saturday as Queens Park Rangers travel to St James' Park.