Premier League ref with recent West Ham history set to take charge of Leeds United's clash with the Hammers

Premier League referee Mike Dean will be in charge when Leeds United travel to face West Ham United on Monday night.

The Whites are looking to get back to winning ways in the top flight after defeat to Aston Villa last weekend.

Marcelo Bielsa's men are currently recuperating amid a nine-day break from match action ahead of the trip to face the Hammers in the capital.

West Ham, meanwhile, are enjoying an impressive season and sit fourth having become unlikely candidates to earn Champions League football this term.

Dean will be flanked by assistants Darren Cann and Derek Eaton at the London Stadium. He will also be backed by fourth official Graham Scott along with Andre Marriner and Eddie Smart - who will be on VAR duty.

Dean has handed out 68 yellow cards and eight red cards this season across 20 games in all competitions.

The 52-year-old, though, caused headlines and endured a difficult month in February after Southampton requested he no longer officiate any of their upcoming games.

This followed the dismissal of Jan Bednarek in the Saints 9-0 loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford - a decision which was quickly overturned on review.

West Ham boss David Moyes hit out at Dean's decision to send off Tomas Soucek just days later for an elbow on Fulham's Aleksandar Mitrovic with the Scot calling the incident "embarrassing".

Again, the decision was overturned swiftly on appeal.

The veteran match official then reported to police that he and family members had been the subject of death threats and abusive messages in the wake of the two games.

At his own request Dean was absent from Premier League action in mid-February before returning to officiate games at Burnley and Newcastle United.

Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said: "It is completely unacceptable that we are seeing abusive behaviour aimed at players, managers and match officials regularly on social media platforms.

"This once again highlights the need for greater proactive intervention from social media companies to stop online abuse and identify offenders."

Dean will take charge of the Hammers for the first time since their clash with the Cottagers when they welcome Leeds to East London for Monday Night Football.

He has been in the middle just once previously for the Whites this season when Leeds played out a 1-1 draw with Manchester City at Elland Road in October.