Matthew Donohue is the man in the middle for Blackburn Rovers’ highly-anticipated clash with Leeds United on Saturday.
Jon Dahl Tomasson have enjoyed a free week to prepare for the visit of the Whites, who are in fantastic form.
Rovers were beaten 3-1 last time out by Sheffield Wednesday and have been decimated by injuries.
Tomasson will be grateful for the seven-days with Lewis Travis back from suspension to bolster the squad too.
Arnor Sigurdsson could be involved too though the head coach will give a more detailed injury update in his pre-match press conference on Friday.
Saturday’s early kick-off will be managed by Donohue, who hasn’t been in charge of a Blackburn match this season.
He was the man in the middle for their 3-2 defeat at Stoke City last season as well as the 1-0 defeat at Wigan Athletic and 1-0 win over Blackpool.
Overall, the team has won six of their 14 games that he’s refereed, going back to 2019/20. If you’re looking for a positive omen, that’s not the worst record.
Donohue was involved in a minor Leeds controversy earlier this season during their 1-1 draw against West Brom.
The Baggies took the lead when a shot deflected into the net off Brandon Thomas-Asante’s arm and wasn’t spotted by the referee or linesman. Leeds came back to draw 1-1 at Elland Road.
Whites boss Daniel Farke was unimpressed: “Normally, I never comment on any decisions of the referee because after the game, we cannot change it.
“Even the guys from Sky told me it was a clear handball before the goal and also offside. I cannot change it right now.
In the game, it was too difficult for me to see, but I just had a feeling it was handball and it was quite obvious.
“I trusted the referee at this moment, but it seems like it was a crucial mistake and it is sad for him. It was even more disappointing and sad for us.”
