It will be the third game involving the Magpies that the Leicestershire-based official has overseen this term, having taken charge of September's defeat at Manchester City and last month's Emirates FA Cup home tie against Blackburn Rovers, which ended in a 1-1 draw.

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.

So far this season, he has refereed 27 games in all competitions, showing 94 yellow cards and just one red - to Brighton's Shane Duffy in the Seagulls' 3-1 win over Crystal Palace in December.

On Saturday, he will be assisted by Matthew Wilkes and Darren Cann. Martin Atkinson will be the fourth official.