The Wiltshire official has been the man in the middle for three Premier League games this season. He has brandished a total of 14 yellow cards in the top flight but is yet to show a red card.

In all competitions, he's taken charge of 12 games, showing 42 yellow cards and no red cards.

East took charge of last season's fixture at Vicarage Road back in May, with the Magpies suffering a 2-1 defeat against the Hornets. He was also the man in the middle in last February's 2-2 draw against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Over the course of the 2017/18 campaign, the 53-year-old showed 95 yellow cards and three red cards.

He will be assisted by Harry Lennard and Simon Beck in Newcastle's final game of 2018. Paul Tierney will be the fourth official.