Martin Atkinson has escaped demotion from Premier League duty after Jack Rodwell’s red card in the Merseyside derby was rescinded and will take charge of Stoke’s home game with Fulham this Saturday.

The Leeds-based official was heavily criticised for sending off the England under-21 midfielder after a challenge on Luis Suarez at Goodison Park but he clearly retains the support of the PGMO and the FA. Atkinson has issued 36 yellow cards and six reds in his ten matches this season. His last Fulham game was the 2-2 draw with Arsenal on the final day of last season, in which Zoltan Gera was dismissed.