West Ham United’s assistant manager Neil McDonald has voiced his frustration regarding the Boxing Day postponement of the Irons’ derby day clash against Arsenal.

Due to industrial action on the London Underground this coming Boxing Day – drivers will walk out over a bank holiday pay dispute – the London derby has been postponed until January 23 or 26

Arsenal confirmed the decision, stating that "This decision has been made now due to the preparation period needed to safely operate [the] Emirates Stadium by all the relevant agencies.”

However the Hammers assistant manager is disappointed with the decision, which whilst it frees up their Christmas schedule it shall create another busy period in January at the back-end of the winter transfer window.

Despite an inflated injury list McDonald still believes that his team is better off playing at the Emirates next week.

"I think you can look at it both ways; yes it gives us an extra couple of days to get players back, but it does mean we will have an even busier January," said McDonald.

"We would probably have preferred to play the game and we are slightly disappointed that it has been called off, but we will be ready when the game comes in January,” he continued.

West Ham’s festive schedule now sees them play Everton at Upton Park, Reading at the Madejski Stadium before returning home against Norwich City on New Year's Day.