Sheffield Derby: A trend emerges about who referees games between Sheffield United and Sheffield Wednesday

Bankes' appointment, which was confirmed by the English Football League this morning, continues the policy of awarding the game to non-Select Group officials with Andy Madley, David Coote and Simon Hooper overseeing of the last three meetings between the clubs.

Mark Halsey was the last top-flight referee to officiate a game between United and Wednesday, at Hillsborough in 2012. That was also the last time no player from either side was cautioned during the match, with their contests since producing an average of 3.66 cautions per fixture.

Wednesday's Glenn Loovens, now of Sunderland, became the first player to be dismissed in a Steel City derby for a decade when he was booked twice during last season's goalless draw at Bramall Lane.

Bankes, who is based on Merseyside, has taken charge of United twice since August. His yellow card average during those fixtures, against Hull City and Rotherham, is below his seasonal figure of 4.3.

Bankes has refereed Wednesday three times during the same period, including both of their  meetings against Middlesbrough.