Visa refusal puts paid to US tour for Joey Barton and Nile Ranger

The pair will instead travel to Holland with Peter Beardsley's reserve team squad and re-join their senior colleagues on their return to Tyneside.

Ranger's absence from the tour, which includes three friendlies, was confirmed yesterday afternoon following an earlier announcement that Barton's visa application had been rejected. The latter development was revealed in a club statement.

It said: "Newcastle United FC can confirm that Nile Ranger's visa application for entry to the United States has today been rejected." Barton, 28, spent 74 days in jail in 2008 after admitting an assault charge, while Ranger, now 20, landed himself in trouble as a juvenile.

The development comes as an embarrassment to Newcastle, who have worked hard in recent years to clean up their image after a series of lurid headlines, while it is also an irritation to manager Alan Pardew as he attempts to mould his revamped squad ahead of the new Barclays Premier League season.

Ranger has been told he can leave Tyneside after failing to win a regular place, but Barton remains an integral member of the team, although Pardew is convinced he will slot seamlessly back into the squad after the American trip.

The manager said: "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 midfielder, who spent some time in America on holiday last month, was philosophical as news of his rejected application was made public.

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."

He 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..."

Barton was imprisoned following an incident in Liverpool city centre in December 2007, but 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.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.

Ranger, who has been linked with both Blackpool and QPR in recent days, has tried to put his past behind him too, although his efforts on the pitch are yet to win him the recognition he craves.

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

Barton - who will captain the club in their opening friendly at Darlington tomorrow night in the absence of new skipper Fabricio Coloccini - and Ranger will instead work towards match fitness in the second string's clashes with Hollandia, FC Utrecht and Almere City.