Chris Foy had originally been named as the match referee for the game at St James' Park but he has now been selected to referee the Manchester City v Southampton game following an injury to Matt Messias during the Blackburn v Newcastle game on Boxing Day. Mr Messias had originally been due to referee the game at Eastlands this weekend.
Blues have already had the pleasure of the Hampshire official refereeing two of their league games already this season the last of which was in the 1-0 home defeat to Everton back in November. No Blues players were booked on that day.
Prior to the Everton game Rob Styles had taken charge of our 1-1 draw at Bolton Wanderers back on 25th September when just Robbie Savage picked up a caution for Blues.
Rob Styles has taken charge of just one Newcastle game this season that being in their 4-0 away defeat at Chelsea last month. Jermaine Jenas and Steven Taylor were booked for the Magpies that day.
In total Rob Styles has taken charge of 11 Premier League games so far this season in which he has handed out 21 yellow cards and 3 reds.