FORMER Manchester City star Joey Barton escaped jail for an attack on a Blues team mate - but he could be facing the axe from his current club.

The 25-year-old was handed a four month sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to assaulting former team mate Ousmane Dabo at the club's Carrington training complex last May.

He was said to have punched the Frenchman up to five times leaving him unconscious in a fracas described as an `explosive combination of football and violence'.

Barton, who changed his plea to guilty at the eleventh hour, is nearing the end of a six-month sentence for a separate attack in Liverpool.

He is set to be fitted with an electronic tagging device and released over the next few days.

But his career with Newcastle United, who paid £5.8m for him after the attack, appears to be hanging in the balance.

The north-east club issued a terse statement saying that they had noted the sentence and would speak to Barton and his representatives `as soon as possible'.

Crunch meeting

They added that there would be no further comment until the crunch meeting had taken place.

If the axe does fall on the troubled midfielder it could spell a return to the north west.

Bolton Wanderers are one of the clubs who have been linked to possible bids for Barton if Newcastle give him his marching orders.

Defending Barton, from Widnes, at Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday, Jim Sturman QC said the training ground tussle had taken place during a period of turmoil at Eastlands.

Both Barton and City captain Richard Dunne had given media interviews in which they alleged certain foreign players were `not pulling their weight'.

Mr Sturman added that Barton had told under-fire manager Stuart Pearce that he should substitute Dabo, 31, during a game at Portsmouth. Dabo found out about this and Barton later apologised.

But, in the now infamous training session later that season, both players exchanged hefty challenges. Barton was said to have anticipated Dabo's tackle, managed to ride it and then shouted `You're not even good enough to do me' as he got up.

Clashed

As the pair then walked from the pitch they clashed.

Dabo, who now plays for Italian side Lazio, pushed Barton's shoulder and was knocked unconscious. Eyewitnesses recalled Barton getting on top of the player and repeatedly hitting him.

Dabo was treated in hospital for the effects of head trauma, an inflamed eye and bruised eyelids.

One player, Georgios Samaras, said he had never seen such a violent incident on a football pitch in all his career, and that he would "never forget it".

Dabo suffered from headaches for three weeks and missed several matches.

Mr Sturman described Barton as `a highly talented footballer but one who does not believe the game is everything'. He added that he `is a charming, articulate and bright young man'.

Difficult background

He pointed out Barton's difficult background and the fact he left school with 10 GCSEs despite knowing he would probably become a professional footballer.

Sentencing Barton Judge Mushtaq Khokhar described his actions as `disgraceful behaviour towards a colleague' and `totally, totally uncalled for'.

He said: "As a professional footballer you are someone who is talented and greatly idolised by young and old alike whether you are playing at Manchester City and now at Newcastle United.

"You are constantly in the public eye. You have a high profile and there would be instances of provocation. Being an idol brings with it responsibilities which you have to carry with you all the time."

Judge Khokhar added that the attack was not pr- meditated and said he had noted a report from his current manager Kevin Keegan describing him as `a changed man'.

He said he did not believe Barton presented a risk to society and also noted his voluntary work with Newcastle and the Sporting Chance clinic which treats sports stars with behavioural problems.

Barton, who laughed and joked with friends and family in the gallery, was ordered to pay £3,000 compensation to Dabo, £3,430 in costs and complete 200 hours unpaid work.