Town’s Championship game at Derby County scheduled for Tuesday 12th September has been postponed as the Rams are now set to play their Carabao Cup second round tie against Barnsley on that date.
Derby’s first round match against Grimsby was abandoned due to a waterlogged pitch and replayed on August 22nd - alongside the rest of the second round matches - with Gary Rowett’s side winning 1-0.
Their second round game against the Tykes had been set for September 19th - the week in which third round games are scheduled to be played - but the EFL have now moved the tie forward a week so the winners are able to face Tottenham Hotspur in the designated third round week.""
Tottenham have Champions League matches on September 13th and 26th, leaving the week in between the only one free for the third round Carabao Cup fixture. A new date for the Blues’ trip to Pride Park is yet to be set.
""An EFL spokesperson said: "The EFL would like to apologise to the clubs involved and importantly the supporters of those teams for any inconvenience caused.
"However, the need to move the tie forward a week is required due to limited flexibility in the fixture schedule alongside the fact that the winners of the round two tie have been drawn against Tottenham Hotspur, who have the added complication of being involved in four competitions, including the group stages of the Champions League."
Town MD Ian Milne added: "It’s very frustrating for all concerned, especially our supporters given the short notice but we have no influence on the decision at all. It’s completely out of our hands.”
With the game less than a fortnight away, a significant number of Blues fans will have booked trains and hotels on the night of the match.