Toucan

Newcastle United footballer Joey Barton has submitted a guilty plea after being accused of assaulting a former team-mate in a training ground bust-up.

Barton admitted attacking French player Ousmane Dabo while at Manchester City in an incident that occurred on May 1st last year.

The 25-year-old, who moved to St James' Park last summer, was due to go on trial at Manchester's Minshull Street crown court after initially saying he would fight the charge.

However, he chose to change his plea shortly before the beginning of the case.

Barton is expected to return for sentencing next month.

© Adfero Ltd