Oxford United v Pompey: referee watch

Here’s all you need to know about the man in the middle...

Who is he?

Veteran official Salisbury has been taking charge of matches since the 2001-02 season.

The Lancashire-born referee has been in the middle for 373 matches in total – including 147 in the Championship.

However, he is yet to referee a Premier League game.

Has he taken charge of Pompey previously?

Salisbury has officiated the Blues twice in the past two seasons.

During the 2015-16 campaign, he refereed Pompey’s 1-0 defeat to Leyton Orient at Fratton Park and issued a sole yellow card to Enda Stevens.

In the Blues’ curtain-raiser against Carlisle United last term, Salisbury was also in charge.

He dismissed the visitors’ Jamie Devitt in the 28th minute in the 1-1 draw at Fratton Park.

What’s his record this season?

The 54-year-old has been busy dishing out cards during just two games this campaign.

Salisbury cautioned nine players in Crewe’s 2-2 draw with Mansfield in League Two last weekend.

In Carlisle’s 2-1 win at Fleetwood in the Carabao Cup, he handed out eight yellow cards and sent-off the Trawlermen’s Harvey Rodgers in extra-time.

Who are his assistants?

Salisbury will be assisted by Graham Kane and Leigh Crowhurst, while Marc Wilson is fourth official.