Loftus Road to stage Yeading's FA Cup tie

Non-league Yeading's third-round FA Cup tie against Newcastle will be played at Queen's Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground after safety concerns prevented them holding the game at their own ground.

Non-league Yeading's third-round FA Cup tie against Newcastle will be played at Queen's Park Rangers' Loftus Road ground after safety concerns prevented them holding the game at their own ground.

The Football Association have approved Yeading's application to use Loftus Road instead of The Warren, which holds 2,500 spectators, and Newcastle will travel there on Sunday 9 January.

"Safety concerns were the reason we needed an alternative venue and thankfully QPR, a local rival of ours in a way, managed to help us out," said Yeading's spokesman, Tim Fuell. "Once the draw had sunk we realised for safety reasons we couldn't play the game at The Warren and Loftus Road is a very good venue."

"Following the draw, nobody was fully aware of all the rules. The FA make it very difficult for clubs to switch to the opposing team's venue so the only way could get the game on locally was to move to Loftus Road," he added. "FA rules changed in recent years and we'll take on Newcastle at Loftus Road and hopefully cause that upset that many people are hoping for."