It will be the 34-year-old's fourth game involving the Magpies this season, the most recent of which came when Rafa Benítez's side lost 2-0 at West Ham United last month. He booked seven players on that occasion.

Manchester-born Kavanagh also oversaw the goalless draw at Southampton in October – showing a yellow card to Christian Atsu at St. Mary’s – and was also in the middle for Chelsea’s 2-1 win over Newcastle at Stamford Bridge in January, when he booked both Matt Ritchie and Jorginho.

Since the start of the campaign, Kavanagh – who has been a top flight referee since April 2017, a few months before his promotion to the Select Group of Referees – has taken charge of games in the Premier League, Championship, League One, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

In 27 outings, he has shown a total of 90 yellow cards and two reds. He dismissed Leicester's James Maddison in the Foxes’ 1-1 draw at Brighton in November and former Magpies midfielder Shane Ferguson in last month's Emirates FA Cup clash between Millwall and Brighton.

On Friday, Kavanagh will be assisted by Daniel Cook and Sian Massey-Ellis, while Paul Tierney will be the fourth official.