The Lancashire official has refereed 12 games so far this season, with seven of those coming in the Premier League.

Fifty-year-old Swarbrick was promoted to the Select Group of Referees who officiate top flight matches ahead of the 2011-12 season, and has taken charge of just one Championship game so far this campaign, with his other appointments coming in League One and the Checkatrade Trophy.

In his 12 games, he has shown 49 yellow cards so far this term, and just one red card - to Swindon Town's Raphael Rossi Branco in October.

Swarbrick took charge of two Magpies games in the Premier League last season - the 2-1 victory over West Ham United at St. James' Park in January and the 1-0 defeat at Stoke City.

His assistants at the KCOM Stadium will be Scott Ledger and Derek Eaton, and the fourth official will be Stuart Attwell.