Joey Barton is determined to make the most of his clean slate as he begins his spell with Newcastle.

The 24-year-old midfielder is likely to make his debut for the club he joined in a £5.8million move from Manchester City last month in a friendly at Hartlepool tonight.

He will do so desperate to shed the bad-boy image which tarnished his time at City and ultimately led to his departure.

Barton said: "Every time you move club, it is a new start, new horizons. When I had the opportunity to come here, that was one of the thoughts in my mind.

"People might say I come with a bit of baggage, but I have come to Newcastle, it is a fresh start and it's down to me to make the most of it.

"I have come here to win trophies. I didn't come here to pick up wage packets.

"I think there have been certain players they have bought in previous years who have been mercenaries, or they have come and not shown the commitment that maybe they should.

"But hopefully, they have all gone now and this side here is a side that's hungry and wants success.

"As a squad of players, you cannot ask for any more, and that's what I want to be part of."

Barton left City as police investigated an alleged training ground incident involving himself and team-mate Ousmane Dabo, the latest in a series of controversies to come his way.

However, he is keen to put his past behind him as he plots the latest phase of his career.

He said: "You have got to be a man about it. If you make a mistake, you have got to hold your hand up and say, 'I was wrong'.

"I have never shied away from the fact that I have made wrong decisions and done things I probably regret in hindsight.

"But the main thing is for me, I will always stand up and be counted."

The England international is one of four new signings, along with Mark Viduka, David Rozehnal and Geremi, to have arrived at St James' Park since Sam Allardyce replaced Glenn Roeder as manager.