Mike Dean has been named as referee for Watford's game against Manchester City this weekend.

Dean has issued two red cards already this season, after sending off West Ham's Arthur Masuaku in their clash with Aston Villa on Monday night and Southampton's Kevin Danso in their home fixture against Manchester United on August 31.

Last season he issued 11 red cards from 37 games, including one in Watford's 2-1 home defeat against Man United, in which he sent off Nemanja Matic.

Dean officiated two other Hornets' matches last season; the 3-0 home win over Huddersfield and the 1-1 home draw against Southampton.

The season before he sent of Chelsea's Tiemoue Bakayoko in Watford's 4-1 home victory over the Blues.

Dean became the first referee to issue 100 Premier League red cards earlier this year when he sent off former Watford player Ashley Young.

The Hornets' opponents this weekend are the team to have received the greatest number of red cards from Dean, with nine City players being sent off by the official in total.

The last Watford player to have been sent off by Dean was Nordin Amrabat back in April 2016 when he received two yellow cards in a 3-1 defeat away against West Ham United in the Premier League.

Dean will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Dan Robathan, while Jeremy Simpson will be fourth official and Craig Pawson is on Video Assistant Referee duties.

Pawson was also VAR for Watford's trip to Newcastle in which he missed a handball in the build up to the home side's equaliser in Javi Gracia's last game in charge.