The Magpies entertain the Gunners this weekend (2pm kick-off) hoping to continue their recent upturn in form, after last Saturday’s dramatic draw at reigning champions Liverpool made it four unbeaten for the Magpies.

And a familiar face has been tasked with keeping order on Tyneside, with Dean – one of the English game’s most experienced referees – appointed for what will be just his second trip to Newcastle this term.

His first came in the 1-1 home draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers in February, in which he booked both Ciaran Clark and Isaac Hayden. The 52-year-old – a Premier League referee for the last 20 years, having risen through the pyramid in the 1990s – had not overseen any other fixture involving Steve Bruce’s men in 2020/21 until that clash.

A FIFA-listed referee between 2003 and 2013, Dean has made 25 outings across the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, dishing out 90 yellow and eight red cards. He has also awarded seven penalties.

Wirral-born Dean, who has both an FA Cup final and League Cup final appearance on his CV, will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Dan Robathan on Sunday, with Andy Madley acting as fourth official.

Chris Kavanagh and Matthew Wilkes will fulfil the roles of VAR and assistant VAR respectively.