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Barton steps up return
Newcastle United, 19:10, March 16, 2010 ,
Joey Barton is closing in on a return to full fitness and is determined to play a part in Newcastle's push for promotion.
The midfielder has been out of action since breaking his foot against Plymouth on September 19 but is now making good progress and is expected to play a part in the promotion run in.
Barton is desperate to play again and show the fans what he can do and although he will not figure against Scunthorpe on Wednesday night, he is not far away from a return.
"I just want to focus on playing football now," Barton told the Evening Chronicle. "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."