London- Newcastle United and England midfielder Joey Barton will be out for up to two months because of a knee injury.

The 26-year-old damaged knee ligaments in his side's 2-2 draw with Wigan Athletic on Saturday, after a clash with Lee Cattermole.

"I am not blaming Lee in any way," Barton said. "It was a 50-50 ball and we both went for it, these things happen.

"It's disappointing and frustrating. My sole intention is to knuckle down and bounce back and get fit again."

The injury is another setback for Barton, whose career has been hit by controversy.

Barton served 74 days in jail for assault and affray after an incident in Liverpool and was later banned for 12 matches, six of them suspended, after a training ground incident with Ousmane Dabo, his then Manchester City team-mate.

Newcastle are just one place above the relegation zone in the English Premier League. (dpa)