Berkshire-born Bhupinder Gill will become the first Sikh-Punjabi official to act as assistant referee in a Premier League match when Southampton take on Nottingham Forest next month.

The Premier League confirmed Gill, the son of Jarnail Singh, the first turbaned Sikh to referee in the English Football League, would run the line in the clash at St Mary’s on January 4.

Thomas Bramall will be the referee for the match.

Gill has helped officiate 17 Football League matches so far this season, including 13 in the Championship.

He and brother Sunny Gill made EFL history in April 2021 when they became the first pair of British South Asians to officiate in the same Championship match when Bristol City drew 0-0 with Forest.

Speaking on the pair, 2010 World Cup Final referee, Howard Webb, expects them to go all the way.

"I think both Sunny and Bhups need to be aiming for the Premier League and then beyond that the FIFA international panel," Webb told Sky Sports News.

"They've already shown that they're talented. And I'm sure they'll keep working at the game. They'll keep taking advice from people like their father. If I can help with a little nugget here and there, around my experience then I'm delighted to do so."