Joey Barton is set to step up his comeback from a broken foot by beginning some light running.

Barton has yet to make his Premier League debut for Newcastle after moving to St James' Park from Manchester City in the summer, but he is looking to continue his positive rehabilitation.

"The rehab is going fine and everything is going according to plan," Barton told Newcastle's official website.

"I'm doing some very light work in the gym at the moment but I hope to be back doing some light running next week and then build it up from there.

"It [the injury] was a setback because when you come to a new club you want to play as much as you can to show the people who have invested in you what you can do.

"But I'm a strong believer in fate and things happening for a reason. It was frustrating but I've taken it on the chin and just got on with things."