Sunday's 3pm (BST) kick-off at Craven Cottage will be the fourth match involving the Magpies that the Leicestershire-based official has overseen during the 2018/19 season.

The others were September's defeat at Manchester City, January's Emirates FA Cup home tie against Blackburn Rovers, which ended in a 1-1 draw, and February's 2-0 St. James' Park success against Huddersfield Town.

He sent off the visitors' Tommy Smith that day - one of three red cards he's shown in 37 matches in all competitions this term. He has flashed 127 yellow cards.

Friend, who has been a member of the Select Group Referees since 2009, has taken charge of a League Cup final (2013) and the Community Shield (2012) over the course of a refereeing career which has spanned three decades.

His first top-flight appointment came in 2009. On Sunday, he will be assisted by Constantine Hatzidakis and Matthew Wilkes. Graham Scott will be the fourth official.