MANCHESTER CITY and West Ham have been forced to cut short their winter breaks after their postponed fixture was re-arranged for next Wednesday.
The game was supposed to take place last Sunday but awful weather conditions caused by Storm Ciara saw it postponed and it will now kick-off at 7:30pm on February 19.
Man City’s Premier League clash with West Ham has been rearranged for February 19Credit: PA:Press Association
Storm Ciara saw Sunday’s original fixture postponedCredit: Reuters
After initial talks with the clubs yesterday, next Tuesday or Wednesday looked the most likely options.
The move is a surprise U-turn by the Premier League, who asked clubs to respect the inaugural two-week gap in the fixture list.
It will also likely annoy David Moyes and Co.
West Ham would most likely have preferred to wait for a date in April when City might have other priorities.
But that is the reason finding a new date has proved so problematic.
City are still involved in three cup competitions and have very few midweek slots available.
They already have two league games to rearrange — and that could rise if they beat Sheffield Wednesday next month and reach the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The Hammers, who have no cup commitments, are unlikely to be happy the fixture has been confirmed for next week but are forced to abide by the Premier League’s decision.
There are six Prem games due to take place this weekend but there was no possibility of making City against West Ham a seventh.
Both Moyes and City boss Pep Guardiola have given their players time off this week while the winter break is on, with neither squad due to return to training until Saturday.
The news also thrilled some Fantasy Premier League managers who had captained Man City players or brought them into their teams especially for the game against relegation threatened Hammers.
Meanwhile, City forward Raheem Sterling is winning his fitness race to face Real Madrid in the Champions League.
SunSport revealed last week the England ace faced a battle to be fit for City’s huge last-16, first-leg tie in Spain later this month after picking up a hamstring injury against Tottenham.
Scans suggested up to a three-week lay-off despite it being a grade one strain, the least severe.
But Sterling is making good progress in his recovery and looks likely to make the clash at the Bernabeu on February 26.
He has even been allowed a short holiday, suggesting that he does not need much treatment.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
