James Linington will be the man in the middle when Derby County kick off their Easter with a home match with Sunderland at Pride Park Stadium, kick-off: 7:45pm.


Linington has officiated 34 games so far this term, the majority coming in the Sky Bet Championship. from which he has produced 115 yellow and five red cards.

This match will be the second involving the Rams that he taken charge of after he was also the man in the middle when Gary Rowett’s men drew 0-0 with Cardiff City at the end of September.

In total, this weekend’s referee has officiated 10 matches involving Derby in his years as a referee, in which there have been three wins, five draws and just two defeats tasted.

Linington will be assisted by Lee Venamore and Steven Meredith on the lines, whilst Oliver Langford has been appointed as the fourth official.