It's Howard's Way On Wednesday

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Howard Webb will take charge of Newcastle United's trip to Swansea City in the Barclays Premier League on Wednesday night (7.45pm kick-off).

It is the first time this season the Yorkshire-based official has been appointed to a Magpies match, although he was the man in the middle on five occasions last term.

In total during the 2013/14 campaign, the whistler has overseen 15 games across the Premier League, Champions League and international fixtures, issuing 47 yellow cards, one red and awarding one penalty.

Webb, aged 42, began officiating in his local Rotherham leagues in 1989 and worked his way up the football pyramid before being added to the National List of Football League Referees in 2000.

He stepped up to the Select Group for the Premier League three years later, with his first match being a goalless draw between Fulham and Wolves in October 2003.

Webb is widely recognised as one of the best referees in the business and took charge of both the 2010 Champions League final and the 2010 World Cup final.

On Wednesday at the Liberty Stadium, he will be assisted by Mike Mullarkey and Peter Bankes, with Mike Jones the game's fourth official.