West Ham United will be unable to play their home games at London Stadium until September, because the ground will not be ready after hosting the World Athletics Championships.

The championships finish on Sunday, August 13, six days before the Hammers are due to play Southampton at the former Olympic Stadium.

The time taking to return retractable seats, which are removed in order to accomaodate a running track, means the stadium will not be fit to host football matches in time.

“Our opening fixtures in August will be played away from home as London Stadium welcomes the 2017 World Athletics Championships for a once-in-a-generation occasion,” A club statement said.

“Supporters are therefore advised that our second fixture of the campaign, against Southampton, will be rescheduled, with further details to follow.”

One option could see the Hammers instead travel to the south coast to take on Southampton at St Mary’s.

Liverpool were in a similar situation last season when they played their first three games of the 2016/17 campaign away from home due to ongoing work on Anfield’s main stand.

The Hammers' first home game now looks set to be against Huddersfield Town on Saturday, September 9.