Joey Barton has paid tribute to the Newcastle United medical staff as he prepares to return to the Premiership stage.

The controversial midfielder missed seven months last season due to injury.

Barton told the Evening Chronicle: "It will be great to get back and play on that big stage, but I won't forget who got me there.

"It can be a lonely experience when you are injured.

"But it's been a long, hard road and I was working away in the gym during that long stint out.

"Now it would be great to repay people like the doc (Paul Catterson), Hendo and all of the medical staff because they really did take time and care to get me right and get me back out there.

"It was great to experience the feeling of just being back in the dressing room and being part of a winning team - that's what it's all about."