When Newcastle United could play AFC Wimbledon after Carabao Cup postponement
Newcastle United's pre-match press conference was cancelled this morning as news broke about the postponement of their Carabao Cup third round clash with AFC Wimbledon.
A Newcastle club statement said: "Newcastle United's Carabao Cup third round tie at AFC Wimbledon has been postponed following extensive overnight flooding at the Cherry Red Records Stadium. The match, which was scheduled for 7:45pm BST on Tuesday evening, will now be rescheduled. Further details, including information for ticket holders, will be announced in due course."
The two clubs will now work together to come up with an alternative date, but given fixture congestion and the damage done to Wimbledon's pitch, it may prove difficult.
READ MORE:AFC Wimbledon pitch 'like a golf course' as Newcastle fans react to Carabao Cup postponement
READ MORE:Thousands of primary school children to get free breakfasts from April, Rachel Reeves announces
The fourth round of the competition is not due to be played until the week commencing October 28, which leaves a month to find an alternative date. The League Two side were set to play back-to-back home matches against Accrington Stanley and Crewe Alexandrea but those games are also now in serious doubt.
The October international break poses a problem for Newcastle wiping out a two window for a rescheduling. The Magpies could ask the League Two side to postpone their Bristol Street Motors Trophy clash with Crawley Town on October 8, but that fixture falls right in the middle of said international break.
There is a possibility the game could played during the Carabao Cup fourth round week, though that would pose a further fixture backlog later down the line. The Magpies could offer to play the game at St James' Park on Wednesday this week, though that'll likely be too short notice for the Wombles.
Newcastle United's forthcoming fixtures
September 28: Manchester City H
October 5: Everton A
October 19: Brighton H
October 24-24: Carabao Cup fourth round scheduled
October 27: Chelsea A
AFC Wimbledon's scheduled fixtures
September 28: Accrington H
October 1: Crewe H
October 5: Salford A
October 8: Crawley A (EFL Trophy)
October 12: Carisle H
October 19: Notts Co A
October 22: Morecambe H
October 26: Port Vale A