Pedersen ready to ´laugh off´ Barton punch

Norway’s Morten Gamst Pedersen has insisted he has no outstanding problems with Joey Barton after the Newcastle midfielder apologised for punching him last week.

Barton, now serving a three-game ban for striking Pedersen in the stomach during Blackburn Rovers’ 2-1 victory at Newcastle’s St James’ Park.

It was the latest in a series of incidents, both on and off the field, where a lack of composure has got Barton into trouble.

But Pedersen welcomed both the 28-year-old Englisman’s public expression if regret and personal apology, which was left on the Rovers man’s answering machine.

“I couldn’t answer the phone at that moment but he left a nice message on my answering machine and I called him up the minute we had finished our team meeting,” Pedersen told ithe Lancashire Telegraph.

“Joey shows that there is more to him than what came out on the pitch the other day, and I really appreciate it. It’s not everyone who has the courage to call to apologise after such an episode, but Joey did without hesitation.

“Both me and Joey are professional and fully agree to put this behind us, and that we can laugh about the whole thing next time we meet.”