But the Sunderland captain believes Barton is unlucky not to have won England caps during his time at Newcastle United.
Barton has just one cap for the England senior side, from a friendly with Spain in February 2007 for a five minute substitute appearance, while he was playing for Manchester City .
Lee Cattermole: "I find it frustrating with Joey Barton how he's not in the England squad.
"There's no doubting his ability, but they [the England management team] see him as some problem.
"I don't understand it, I think he would do well for the England side.
"The 5-1 defeat at St James' Park affected us last year.
"We were much more inexperienced, and the lads who played last year have learned from it.
"Obviously, it's going to be talked about, we got a drubbing at St James', but leading up to that game we were playing really well.
"We were so consistent, we were on a run of 10 games unbeaten, sixth in the league, playing the best football, and were so confident and I think we maybe underestimated them in the first game.
"The second game we couldn't afford to lose and didn't play well either.
"We've just got to go and concentrate on ourselves, I know it's a derby and the fans will be up for it, and it's good day for them.
"Hopefully we'll come out and show a better display from Sunderland, if we can come out on top then it will be brilliant."