LONDON (AFP) - Newcastle United midfielder Joey Barton has admitted assault after being arrested following a night out in December, officials said as a reporting ban was lifted Tuesday.

The 25-year-old England footballer appeared in court in Liverpool in March, after being arrested in the early hours of December 27 following an evening out with friends and family the night before.

He admitted the charges last month but reporting restrictions were imposed by a judge at Liverpool Crown Court.

For several weeks after his initial arrest Barton came under the care of former England international Tony Adams's Sporting Chance clinic for his problems with alcohol as part of his strict bail conditions.

He returned to action with Newcastle on January 29.

Barton was arrested along with his brother Andrew, 19 who was also charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, and Nadine Wilson, 27, who was charged with common assault and affray.