Benitez disappointed with postponed FA Cup tie

Referee Mark Clattenburg called off the game 40 minutes before the 7.45pm kick-off, insisting that it was unsafe for the players.

"The fans have had to travel here and they will have to travel back and we have lost some valuable training sessions," said Benitez. "And now we are going to have to fit this game into a very crowded fixture schedule."

The game will now be rearranged for week commencing 17th January.