The Magpies host the newly-promoted Saints, who defeated Leeds United in last season's Championship play-off final at Wembley Stadium, and Pawson will be the man in the middle for the league encounter at St. James' Park.

An English top-flight referee for over a decade, Pawson made his Premier League bow in a match involving Newcastle United, with the Magpies suffering a 1-0 away defeat at the hands of Swansea City in March 2013.

A FIFA-listed official since 2015, the Sheffield-born whistler was in charge of two fixtures involving Eddie Howe's side last season, overseeing United's 1-0 victory against Brentford in which he awarded a penalty, converted by Newcastle striker Callum Wilson, as well as handing out eight yellow cards that evening, booking Bruno Guimarães, Anthony Gordon and Wilson.

The 44-year-old also refereed Newcastle's 3-0 win away at rivals Sunderland in the Emirates FA Cup. He brandished six yellow cards in the Tyne-Wear derby, booking Guimarães and Gordon during the third round tie at the Stadium of Light.

2023/24 stats:

Games (all competitions): 32

Yellow cards issued: 149

Red cards issued: 4

Assistants:

Assistant referees: Marc Perry and Mark Scholes

Fourth official: Dean Whitestone

VAR: Chris Kavanagh

Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring