Leeds United set to become familiar official's most refereed side at Southampton

FAMILIAR FACE - Peter Bankes will have refereed Leeds United more than any other club when he takes charge at Southampton tomorrow night. Pic: Getty

The Merseyside official has presided over 16 games involving the Whites during his career, the same number of Sheffield United matches he has refereed.

This season he oversaw Leeds' 1-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa and their bitterly disappointing FA Cup exit at Crawley Town.

Leeds' record with Bankes in charge stands at seven wins and seven defeats with two draws. In that time he's only ever sent off one White - Kalvin Phillips at QPR last season for an undeniably poor lunge on Geoff Cameron - and red carded two opposition players - Preston North End's Alex Baptiste and Port Vale defender Gavin Gunning.

Both of the penalties he has awarded to Leeds came in games against QPR. Patrick Bamford's effort at Loftus Road, in a game that saw Nakhi Wells handle the ball twice before scoring the winner, was saved and Kemar Roofe scored from the spot in a 2018 Elland Road clash.

Only Brighton have ever been awarded a penalty against Leeds with Bankes in charge. Tomer Hemed converted from the spot in a 4-0 win over the Whites in 2016 after Liam Rosenior was fouled.

Bankes, who was video assistant referee for the 1-1 draw between Leeds and Manchester City at Elland Road in October, has refereed 25 games during the current campaign, showing 70 yellow cards and five reds.

He will be assisted by both Neil Davies and James Mainwaring, with Kevin Friend as fourth official.

David Coote will be the VAR with Marc Perry assisting. Coote was involved in one of the season's major VAR controversies when he decided not to punish Everton keeper Jordan Pickford for a challenge that ended Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk's season.