If the prospect of spending new year behind bars was not sobering enough, Joey Barton is today confronting the most ominous moment in his career. Barton was yesterday remanded in custody until January 3 after being charged with common assault and affray, a cause of acute disquiet and embarrassment to Newcastle United, his club.

Barton, 25, was arrested in Liverpool city centre in the early hours of Thursday after a disturbance outside a McDonald’s restaurant. While it is understood that the England midfield player, who has been nursing an ankle injury, had permission to spend time with his family, a drinking binge would have contravened club rules. Newcastle refused to comment on Barton’s future yesterday.

As with most employees, Barton’s contract at St James’ Park contains a disciplinary clause and should the player, who has a history of off-field problems, be found guilty of any offence, Newcastle will face pressure to dispense with his services. A conviction for common assault carries a maximum penalty of six months’ imprisonment.

Barton, who earns in the region of £45,000 a week, was a controversial £5.8 million signing from Manchester City last summer and Sam Allardyce, the Newcastle manager, admitted that he was obliged “to convince the board” that there would be no further indiscretions. Earlier this year, Barton was released on bail after an alleged training-ground attack on Ousmane Dabo, his former City teammate. He has denied the offence and will stand trial in June.

Having failed to endear himself to Newcastle supporters with his performances, Barton will miss important matches against Chelsea and Manchester City. Aside from one heavy challenge on Dickson Etuhu, of Sunderland, and his contention that Newcastle fans can, on occasion, be “vicious”, Barton has avoided trouble during his six months on Tyneside. There are those who argue, however, that his signing was an error of judgment by a club who have attracted too many front-page headlines.

For the past 2½ years Barton has worked closely with the Sporting Chance Clinic, the charity established by Tony Adams, the former England captain, to treat behavioural problems among professional sportsmen. He has regularly received counselling an treatment from Peter Kay, the organisation’s chief executive officer.

“My support for Joey will never waver,” Kay said. “I feel devastated that this side of Joey is the side people see when I am privileged to know a different man. When I heard the news, I was not totally surprised. I was on the phone to him for an hour and a half the night before and he was troubled about many things.”

Kay revealed that Barton has previously been subjected to fierce provocation. “There is always goading of footballers these days and it is something people should not get away with,” he said. “I adore him and believe in him. But he has to take the blame and responsibility for his actions.

“Sam Allardyce is under enough pressure and he has supported Joey and dealt with him like a human being and handled him firmly. He has been brilliant and supportive. But Joey Barton is a really good man.”