Saturday 16th MarchManchester City vs Newcastle UnitedEtihad StadiumKick-off 5:30pm

The Magpies head to Lancashire for their final outing before the international break later this month with a trip to Wembley for the semi-finals in the offing for the winners, and Hooper has been tasked with overseeing proceedings in one of the two all-Premier League last-eight ties.

The 41-year-old has taken charge of just one fixture involving the Magpies so far this term, but it was a memorable one. He was in the middle of United's 4-1 Premier League victory over Chelsea at St. James' Park in November, a game in which he booked nine players - including Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Joelinton and Matt Ritchie - and sent off the Blues' Reece James.

A top flight referee since 2018, when he was promoted to the Select Group, Hooper has kept his cards pocketed on just two of his 26 outings so far this term, and has refereed just one of City's games so far this term too - their 3-3 home league draw with Tottenham Hotspur in December.

2023/24 stats

Games (all competitions): 26Yellow cards issued: 110Red cards issued: 3

Assistants

Assistant referees: Adrian Holmes and Simon LongFourth officials: Craig PawsonVAR: Thomas BramallSupport VAR: Jarred GillettAssistant VAR: Neil Davies