De Jong back in training

The 25-year-old Dutchman has been sidelined since September, when he was ruled out by the Magpies for "a number of months" because of a thigh injury.

However, he tweeted on Tuesday: "Finally my boots back on! First session outside."

De Jong, a B£6million summer signing from Ajax, played only three competitive games for the club before misfortune struck, and it did so at the worst possible time for manager Alan Pardew.

The Holland international had been recruited to provide the link between midfield and attack, and he headed for the treatment room with the club in the midst of a dreadful run of form which left Pardew under extreme pressure.

However, in his absence, De Jong's team-mates have forged a remarkable recovery which saw them claim a sixth successive victory, five of them in the Barclays Premier League, over QPR on Saturday, a return which has seen them climb into the top five.

Despite his return to the training pitch, the midfielder, who was initially ruled out of action until after Christmas, still faces several weeks working his way back to full fitness.