Premier League club’s Carabao Cup clash POSTPONED over flooding as stadium appears to have ‘SINKHOLE’ in pitch
NEWCASTLE’S Carabao Cup clash with AFC Wimbledon has been postponed.
Heavy rain has caused flooding around the outside of the ground while there is also damage to the pitch at Plough Lane.
XA sinkhole appeared to emerge in the pitch[/caption]
XThere was severe flooding outside the Cherry Red Record Stadium[/caption]
Storms have swept across the country over the past 24 hours but The Cherry Red Records Stadium has been hit hard by the wet weather.
A clip has surfaced on social media appearing to show a huge sinkhole on one corner of the pitch.
It then shows the refreshment area behind the stand completely underwater, making it virtually impossible that the match will go ahead as planned.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was due to speak to the media at 9am this morning ahead of the game.
However, his pre-match press conference was called off, and now the match has been postponed.
It remains unclear on when the game will be rearranged for, but the Dons look set to face a huge fixture headache if the damage is as bad as first feared.
Johnnie Jackson’s side were due to host Accrington Stanley on Saturday in League Two before welcoming Crewe there next Tuesday.
The two clubs are currently locked in talks with EFL chiefs to try and work out a date in the already jam-packed schedule.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
The when and where still needs to be determined, but the game must be decided before the fourth-round ties start on the week commencing October 28.
Both Newcastle and Wimbledon will be in the hat for the last-16 draw on Wednesday.
It has been over 24 years since Newcastle took on Wimbledon.
The last meeting was during Sir Bobby Robson’s era when the Dons triumphed 2-0.
The news will be a frustrating blow to Howe as he looked to instantly bounce back from Saturday’s loss at Fulham.
The Magpies were beaten 3-1 at Craven Cottage in their first defeat of the season thanks to goals from Raul Jimenez, Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson while Harvey Barnes responded for the visitors.
