He started refereeing in 1998 at the age of 13, and was appointed to the Football League list 16 years later. He has now taken charge of more than 50 league games.

So far this term, he has refereed 13 matches in all competitions, showing 42 yellow cards but no reds - although he did send Sunderland boss David Moyes to the stands during the Black Cats' EFL Cup defeat against Southampton on Wednesday night.

It will be Kavanagh's second match involving the Magpies this season as he oversaw the 1-1 draw at Aston Villa last month. He was also the man in the middle when

Newcastle lost 1-0 to Sheffield Wednesday in the Capital One Cup last term.On Saturday, Kavanagh will be assisted by Nick Greenhalgh and James Mainwaring. David Webb will be the fourth official.