Newport referee Linington will be taking charge of his first Magpies game this season at the weekend. He had been due to officiate United's trip to Derby County back in September, but had to pull out after sustaining an injury in the warm-up.

So far this season, Linington has refereed a total of 26 matches in the Championship, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Checkatrade Trophy, showing 114 yellows and three reds - including one in Huddersfield Town's 3-1 home win over promotion rivals Brighton & Hove Albion last month.

Linington's only previous appointment for a Newcastle game came in 2010, when he took charge of the 4-2 FA Cup fourth round defeat at West Bromwich Albion.

He will be assisted on Saturday by Tony Peart and Nick Hopton, while Tony Harrington will be the fourth official.