Lancashire referee Darren Bond takes charge of his third North End game of the season when the Lilywhites travel to the Stadium on Light on Saturday afternoon.
Darren was the match official in the club’s home draw against Millwall in September and our 2-1 win at Bristol City back in November, two of his 34 games so far this season, where he has issued 116 cautions and five red cards.
This will be his fifth Sunderland game of the season, having taken charge of wins over Carlisle United and Nottingham Forest and defeats to Bristol City and Birmingham City.
Although he had done numerous friendlies and other games involving Preston North End, last season was the first time the experienced official took charge of competitive fixtures involving the club, as he refereed the two home 1-1 draws with Burton Albion and Nottingham Forest.
The referee will be assisted by Andrew Fox and Mark Jones, with Matthew Dicicco as the fourth official.