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Coote in control of Blackburn game
Written by Dan King
David Coote will referee Newcastle's Sky Bet Championship game against Blackburn on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).
The Nottinghamshire-based official took charge of last season's Capital One Cup win against Northampton Town.
That's the only previous senior Newcastle game he's officiated, but he was also the referee when United's under-18s met Chelsea at St. James' Park in the quarter-finals of the FA Youth Cup in February 2015.
Coote began life as a whistle-blower at the age of just 16 and was promoted to the list of Football League referees in 2010. In May 2014, he took charge of the League One play-off final at Wembley between Rotherham United and Leyton Orient.
He has refereed 15 games in all competitions this season, showing 52 yellow cards and one red.
On Saturday he will be assisted by Matthew McGrath and Tony Peart. The fourth official will be Tony Harrington.