WEST HAM have confirmed that manager Avram Grant will miss the team's trip to Stoke this week to observe the Jewish holy day, Yomm Kippur.
A club statement read: “Out of the respect for traditions, heritage and religious obligations of the Jewish holy day of Yom Kippur, Avram Grant will not be in the dug-out at Stoke City this Saturday.
“West Ham United fully respect and understand the situation. It is very unusual for the day to clash with the fixture list.”
Yomm Kippur, or Day of Atonement, sees Jews take part in continuous prayer and fasting over 25 hours.
Grant will make all the preparations for the game, but assistant manager Zeljko Petrovic will make all the decisions from the bench on the day.
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