The 28-year-old admits Carroll's £35million deadline-day switch to Liverpool did make him pause for thought as a disappointed dressing room came to terms with the loss of a player whose potential had given great cause for optimism on Tyneside.

Barton was close to putting pen to paper on a new deal when the Reds made their move, and the hiatus since has sparked fears that he may not now commit his future to the club.

However, speaking after Saturday's remarkable 4-4 Barclays Premier League draw with Arsenal, in which he played a key role, he revealed he still wants to stay at St James' Park.

Barton told NUFC TV: "As far as I'm aware, I had agreed in principle to sign a deal. I want to stay at this football club - I have stated that on numerous occasions.

"When stuff happens like what happened during the week, then obviously you think, 'Hang on a minute, what is going on here? Is this the right move? Is this the right decision to make?'.

"But I am enjoying my football here. I love living in the city, the fans are brilliant with me - I feel I am building a real rapport with them.

"Obviously I am disappointed that Andy has gone, as are a number of people in there, because we felt he was a big part of us building a successful football club.

"But I am told they are going to re-invest the money and as long as that happens, I don't think there will be a problem if they invest the money quite wisely.

"But that's not my job, my job is to turn up and play football. I did think a little bit, 'Is this the right move to make?', but I owe a lot to this football club for giving me the chances after I have let them down in the past.

"The fans are different class with me and I am keen to stay.

"It makes a massive statement to everyone if I was to not sign a contract and say, 'I am going to wait' and blah, blah, blah. Maybe a few other people would be waiting and saying, 'Let's just see what's going to happen'.

"But I am keen to get it signed, draw a line under it and let's start moving this football club back in the right direction."

Barton has produced some of the best football of his career, and certainly his best in a Newcastle shirt, this season, but like most of his team-mates, he came to life belatedly on Saturday.

Manager Alan Pardew, who had his heart in his mouth as Abou Diaby rounded on the combative midfielder to earn his red card, said: "Joey, Cheik [Tiote], the whole team had the same performance.

"For 20 minutes, Joey felt sorry for himself. It was everybody else's issue, everybody else's agenda.

"No-one was taking responsibility, no-one was wearing that shirt and playing with pride, playing with character like they can.

"In the second half, he showed what he is about, showed why he perhaps should be included for England.

"I saw the guy throw him to the ground and I thought, 'Joey, please'. You have to hold your hands up and say his reaction was top drawer.

"He didn't react and the Joey of old might have done that. In that little moment, perhaps, there are some people, including myself, thinking that England duty might be coming his way because he has matured as a person.

"He put in a great, great second-half display."