It will be the Cheshire official's first match at St. James' Park this season and only his second fixture involving the Magpies this term; he was the man in the middle when Newcastle lost 4-1 at Manchester United in September, when he showed only one yellow card - to the home side's Paul Pogba.

In total, he has refereed 25 games this term - the majority in the top fight but also some at international level and in European competition, plus two in the FA Cup - and has flashed 108 yellow cards and six reds.

Taylor started refereeing in the Northern Premier League 20 years ago, and was appointed to the Football League referees' list at the start of the 2006/07 season. He was promoted to the Select Group of Referees for 2010/11 and became a FIFA-listed referee in 2013.

Notable appointments include the 2015 League Cup final, the 2020 UEFA Super Cup and the FA Cup final in both 2017 and 2020 - meaning he became the first man in almost 120 years to referee two FA Cup finals.

On Tuesday night, he will be assisted by Gary Beswick and Adam Nunn. Craig Pawson will be the fourth official.

Chris Kavanagh is on VAR duty at Stockley Park, assisted by Sian Massey-Ellis.