Barton has not played for the first team since limping off during the 3-1 Coca-Cola Championship victory over Plymouth on September 19.
Joey Barton: "I just want to focus on playing football now.
"The team have done a great job this season, and so has Chris Hughton, Colin Calderwood and the rest of the backroom lads.
"Now I just want to get back and play a part in helping this team back into the Premier League.
"The fans have been brilliant and as players we just want to help deliver Premier League football back to them.
"During my injury, the fans have wished me all the best.
"It's still a big club and that's one of the reasons I came here.
"The fans have been great with me and now I just want to do the business on the pitch again."
Chris Hughton: "He plays in the reserves and that will only be his second game - he played 45 minutes of a game here at the training ground.
"What we have to be mindful of and careful of is that this is a player that has been out for a long period of time and what he needs is to get enough match practice under his belt.
"What we have said is to get a fit and ready Joey Barton back in the squad is a plus for us.
"What we want is as much competition as possible going into this last part of the season, and whatever contribution he can make, however many games that is, then it will be very welcome."
>> Terms & Conditions