The Championship will have full-time referees next season.

The change from part-time referees, in line with the Premier League, comes with Albion fighting the red card received by Jamie Murphy at Bolton.

The Seagulls have mounted an appeal against the Scottish winger’s controversial second half dismissal and hope he will be off the hook for Cardiff’s visit to the Amex on Saturday.

The Championship will have a group of 18 professional referees from next season for the 24-club second tier.

Under the terms of their contracts the six not required on a matchday could referee games in the Premier League or either of the two lower divisions.

The next stage will be the introduction of 36 full-time assistants.

The Premier League has operated a panel of refs and assistants, known as the Select Group, for 14 years.

The expansion of the full-time system to the Championship has been cautiously welcomed by Lewes-based former referee and fireman Steve Tomlin.

He told The Argus: “I would really relish that I could train and prepare properly. You wouldn’t be watching the clock and rushing off to do something else. For example, I had to do a 15-hour night.

“On the other side of the coin, I know individuals with exceptionally good jobs. Would they give it up for one-year contracts?”

Referee Mark Haywood showed Murphy a red card in the second half of Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Bolton for a tackle on Neil Danns.

Replays showed the Scot slipped before ploughing into Danns and suffering the first dismissal of his 333-game career.

The case will be heard by a disciplinary panel at Wembley this week. Murphy is due to miss the Cardiff clash plus fixtures away to Leeds and at home to Bristol City after the international break.