It's Martin In The Middle Against Cardiff

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

Martin Atkinson will take charge of Newcastle United's Barclay's Premier League home game against Cardiff City on Saturday (3pm kick-off).

It is the fourth time the Yorkshire-based official has overseen a Magpies' match this season, having been in the middle of September's 3-2 home defeat against Hull City, a Boxing Day 5-1 win over Stoke City and a last-gasp 1-0 triumph over Aston Villa in February.

On that afternoon against the Villans, Atkinson booked four players including Cheick Tiote and Loic Remy.

In total during the 2013/14 campaign, he has refereed 41 games across the Premier League, Champions League, Europa League, FA Cup, Capital One Cup, Championship, League Two and international level, handing out 127 yellow cards, three reds, and awarding 11 penalties.

Having started refereeing at the age of 16 in his local Bradford leagues, Atkinson rose through the leagues and was appointed to his first top flight fixture in April 2005, as Manchester City took on Birmingham City.

He has grown in stature to be regarded as one of the country's top referees and in recent years has overseen the 2006 FA Community Shield, the 2011 FA Cup Final, and the 2014 Capital One Cup final, which saw Manchester City defeat Sunderland.

Atkinson, aged 43, has also run the rule over numerous World Cup and European Championships qualifiers and Champions League fixtures.

On Saturday at St. James' Park, he will be assisted by Peter Kirkup and Stephen Child, with Robert Madley the game's fourth official.

Tickets for Saturday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Cardiff are still available. To secure your seat, click here.