The 28-year-old was hoping to fly out to America with the rest of the Magpies' first-team squad on Sunday, but will instead head for Holland with Peter Beardsley's second string after he was refused the necessary documentation because of the spell he spent in prison in 2008.

However, manager Alan Pardew is confident Barton's absence will not affect the player adversely, and that he will slip seamlessly back into the squad on its return to Tyneside.

Pardew told the Evening Chronicle: "Joey is still suffering from past misdemeanours.

"He has put his life back on track, and long may that continue.

"I have no problem with integrating Joey into the team without him coming to the United States.

"There is no problem. He will go to Holland with the development group and do the work there."

The club confirmed early this morning that Barton, who went on holiday to America earlier this summer, had been notified by the United States Embassy that he would not be granted a visa to allow him to return as part of the tour.

His response was philosophical.

He said: "Unfortunately, I was denied my visa due to my past.

"I regret not being able to travel with the club on this trip, but at the same time, I don't expect to be treated any differently or more favourably than anyone else in a similar situation.

"All I can do is continue to improve as a person, which is what I intend to do.

"Again, apologies to all the NUFC supporters - as well as the fast growing legions of football supporters in the United States, who I was looking forward to meeting. I will see you in the future."

Barton later elaborated by way of his Twitter account, tweeting: "Visa story is correct, they told me am not allowed in until I have 5yrs without any trouble. 3yrs down, 2yrs to go...

"Totally hypocrisy considering what they get up to, but rules are rules..."

Barton spent 74 days in jail after admitting a charge of assault following an incident in Liverpool city centre in December 2007.

He has since sought help for the problems which had blighted his career up to that point, and has spoken openly about the challenges he continues to face.

However, he has gradually turned his life around to the extent that, barring one ugly on-field incident with Blackburn midfielder Morten Gamst Pedersen which cost him a three-match ban, he has stayed out of trouble in recent times.

Indeed, last season saw him return to the kind of form which won him his one and only England cap as he helped Newcastle retain their top-flight status in some comfort.

Barton, a £5.8million signing from Manchester City during the summer of 2007, is currently in contract limbo with his club having being told he will not be offered a new deal after failing to agree terms in January.

But he remains a key part of the manager's plans for the new campaign and his enforced unavailability in the States is at least an irritation.

Newcastle will play three games during their trip, against Sporting Kansas on Wednesday, July 20, Orlando City three days later and Columbus Crew on Tuesday, July 26.

Barton will instead work towards his match fitness in the second string's clashes with Hollandia, FC Utrecht and Almere City.

Meanwhile, sources on Tyneside have insisted that reports suggesting Chelsea have made contact with the Magpies over Ivory Coast midfielder Cheick Tiote are incorrect.

Tiote has been a major hit at St James' Park since making a £3.5million switch from Dutch side FC Twente last summer, and signed a new six and a half-year contract in February.

The denials, however, may do little to ease the fears of fans who saw Andy Carroll depart for Liverpool in January, despite Pardew's repeated insistence that he was not for sale.