Newcastle boss Alan Pardew hopes Saints fans will welcome referee Mark Clattenburg back into the fold when he takes charge of their home game against Norwich next Wednesday.

The 37-year-old has not officiated a match since being accused by Chelsea of making a racist remark towards midfielder John Obi Mikel in last month's game against Manchester United at Stamford Bridge.

Clattenburg was this week cleared of any alleged wrongdoing by the Football Association, who said he had no case to answer.

His first game back will be at St Mary's next week, and Pardew hopes he will be given a warm reception.

He said: "It was an allegation that has been proven not to be true, and therefore we should all support Mark.

"I have just heard his first game is actually at Southampton, I believe, on Wednesday and I hope the Southampton fans cheer his name.

"It's time for the football community to back people when they are found not guilty, which he has been, and give him some support, which I do today and I hope fans do up and down the country."