Barnes scored 53 goals in 170 appearances for Albion and has nothing but happy memories of his time with the Seagulls, which included a League One title triumph in 2011.
He said, “It will be an amazing feeling because it feels like home every time I come back, and I love playing at the stadium.
“I’ve got many fond memories of my time there and I still speak to many of the staff and a few of the players, so it will be brilliant to come back.
“Winning promotion to the Championship was probably my best memory and I was very proud to get over 50 goals for the club too.
“My focus is going to be on Burnley this weekend, but Brighton is somewhere that’s close to my heart and I will follow them for the rest of my life.”
The former Seagulls frontman has made an electric start to the current campaign after scoring four goals in his opening four appearances, and believes a top-ten finish is a realistic aim for the Clarets.
“I knew that I had to make a good start to the new season because everyone comes back feeling stronger and fitter. I did a lot of hard work in the off season, which helped me get ready for pre-season.
“I feel like I’m getting better every time I’m selected and that I’m improving in each season. To get 12 goals last year was great, but I want to do even better now. I feel like I’m coming to the best period of my career and I’ve still got a lot to give.
“As a club we have to set our sights high and aim to finish in the top half of the Premier League. The gaffer is fantastic and he gets the best out of all of us on the training ground, which we then put into our performances on the pitch.”
Barnes has been very impressed by Albion's progress since his departure and looked ahead to the threats which Graham Potter’s side will pose on Saturday.
“They’ve done very well and made a great start to last season. Chris [Hughton] did an amazing job and it was unlucky in some ways to have a cup run which coincided with the club trying to survive in the Premier League. The main objective was to stay in the league, and they did that.
“It’s going to be a completely different test this weekend, as Graham Potter has put his own spin on the team now. He did a fantastic job at Swansea and that’s probably what attracted the hierarchy to appoint him.
“We know it’ll always be tough whoever we come up against in the Premier League and we’ve just got to make sure we come out on top.”
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The above interview was filmed before last season's match away at Burnley.
Ticket Info
Tickets for the match are available on general sale now, with prices starting from £30 for adults and from £15 for under 18s.
To book online, visit tickets.BrightonAndHoveAlbion.com or call the Albion Booking Line on 0844 327 1901 (calls to this number are charged at seven pence per minute plus your network access charge).
*Online bookings using print at home are exempt from booking fees, there is a £1.50 per ticket booking fee for in person and telephone sales, while a charge of £1 per ticket applies to online purchases where tickets are fulfilled by post or held for collection.