BIG SAM IN BARTON PLEA

The 25-year-old is serving a six-month jail sentence for assault and affray and is due to have talks with Toon officials after receiving a suspended prison term last week for assaulting former Manchester City team-mate Ousmane Dabo.

Allardyce, who signed the Liverpudlian from City last summer before leaving St James' Park in January, told the News of the World: "If Newcastle sack Joey it will be another punishment and defeat the objective of him trying to put things right and become a better person."

He added: "It could also be dangerous to take football away from him. He is a complete football man. His life revolves around it.

"If Newcastle keep Joey, this is the last chance for him. He is fighting for his future because I don't think anyone will take him if he steps out of line again.

"Joey has had help in the past but he needs to do things for himself now. If this doesn't make him want to get things right, nothing will."