West Brom chairman John Williams complains to Premier League chief Richard Scudamore about fixture foul-up

It's been a week since the Hammers last played a game, whereas Albion will only have 48 hours in between their draw with Arsenal and Tuesday night's match at the London Stadium.

Albion boss Alan Pardew says the quick turnaround has put his players at risk of injury, and even took Matt Phillips off during the game on New Year's Eve because of it.

West Ham have an extra five days of rest because their game against Tottenham has been moved to this Thursday, January 4.

It was switched after staff at Wembley said they could only accommodate 43,000 fans on New Year's Eve because tube stations around the stadium were operating at a reduced capacity.

It had already been moved from Saturday to Sunday by Sky and was not moved back so it could be shown on live television.

Albion have made strong representations to the Premier League and written to them to make their feelings felt. Williams, who is seething about the decision, has also called Scudamore personally.

“It’ll be a tough game, they’ve had six days’ rest," said Pardew. “That is the big issue, how we have got two days in Premier League professional football, putting players at risk, in my opinion, of injury. It’s not right, that.

“It's terrible. We all know there’s pressure on TV companies for ratings and everything else and games. I understand that.

“But the league’s got to be stronger and say two days is not right.”

Pardew is starting to settle on his preferred starting XI but said he would be forced into changes at the London Stadium.

“Of course I am," he said. "There’s some players who won’t be able to cope with that (two games in three days).

“I’d be putting them at risk. Matty Phillips for example - I wouldn’t take Matty Phillips off (against Arsenal) if I knew I didn’t have West Ham.

“I felt he was struggling a little bit, and if he had pulled a hamstring, I couldn’t take that today.

“It’s things like that. I want him for West Ham as well. It’s decisions like that that were being made."

The Premier League told the Express & Star: "As the fixture had already been selected for live UK broadcast, it was moved to the next available date, which is in line with normal practice."