Premiership referee set to take charge of M1 derby

Subject to any late changes, Premiership official, Mike Dean will take charge of the potentially explosive local derby between Watford and Luton Town this coming Sunday.

With the Golden Boys desperate to return to winning ways after two successive defeats and arch rivals, Luton Town equally keen to avenge the narrow home defeat on January 2nd 2006, the official can expect to have his hands full.

Local derbies are traditionally fiercely contested affairs and it was no real surprise when the Red card (Watford's Ashley Young) was produced during the first meeting between the sides at Kenilworth Road.

The Wirral born Dean has been a member of the Premiership panel since 2000, enjoying a meteoric rise up the ranks after joining the Football League as assistant in 1997.

Also on the Fifa referee's list, the 37-year-old has refereed many important matches in his career including the 2004 FA Community shield.