One of the rising stars of refereeing in this country is set to take charge of Watford’s penultimate away game of the season tomorrow.

The EFL website has announced that Josh Smith has been appointed as the man in the middle for the Hornets’ trip to Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium.

This will be the first time Smith, who passed his basic referees course as a 14-year-old in 2007 and made his refereeing debut in the Premier League at the end of last season, has been in the middle for a game involving Watford in the current campaign.

The University of Bedfordshire Physical Education graduate has taken charge of a total of 32 league and cup matches this season, showing a total of 128 yellow cards and seven reds.

The Hornets experienced mixed fortunes in their matches Smith officiated in last season, beating Sheffield United 1-0 at Vicarage Road and winning 4-0 at Stoke City, but then losing 2-0 at home to Millwall on Boxing Day before the 2-0 derby day defeat at Luton Town.

Matthew Jones and Sam Lewis are due to be the assistant referees for the 3pm kick-off at fourth-placed Saints, with Sam Purkiss the fourth official.