Hatem Ben Arfa is back in training and in contention for a his first United appearance in 14 weeks as the Magpies travel to Swansea City on Saturday afternoon (3pm kick-off).

The French international forward has been sidelined since the end of November with a hamstring injury, but returned to training last week, joining in with his teammates again at their Benton-based headquarters.

On Thursday morning, Ben Arfa and Co continued their preparations for their trip to South Wales with an intensive session which involved plenty of shooting practice - as Newcastle look to build on the four goals they put past Southampton last weekend.

It was enough to get some hot under the collar, not least assistant manager John Carver, who had to take off his winter jacket as he felt the force of the spring sunshine on Tyneside.

Whatever the weather, you can guarantee that Club Photographer Ian Horrocks will be there, and the veteran snapper captured the best of the morning's action for this exclusive gallery of images.