On the morning of practically every away match, the players and staff go for a light walk to stretch their legs. It's a compulsory and important part of the pre-match routine, particularly for European games where long flights can be required.

Thursday morning saw Alan Pardew and his team venture out of their hotel and into the main square of Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city and one which remains steeped in the traditions of the old Soviet Union.

With snow still on the ground from the previous week, the lads first strolled through a bustling market before reaching the imposing statue of Lenin and the Ploshcha Svobody, which is reckoned to be the second biggest square in the world after Tiananmen Square in Beijing.

Much of the city was destroyed during the Second World War but the centre has been rebuilt in grand fashion and Pardew and Andy Woodman could not resist getting a quick photograph.

Also snapping away during the walk was Club Photographer Ian Horrocks, who provides nufc.co.uk with a fascinating taste of the surroundings in Kharkiv.