Crewe’s clash with Oxford at the Alexandra Stadium has been postponed at short notice for a second time after the hosts said they were unable to fulfil the fixture, the EFL has announced.

The League One contest was rearranged for Tuesday evening having originally been postponed just over 30 minutes before the scheduled 3pm kick-off on October 3 after Crewe’s Omar Beckles tested positive for coronavirus.

That followed a positive test for team-mate Ryan Wintle earlier that week and on October 7, it emerged that two more members of the squad had also tested positive.

Beckles and Wintle subsequently both played in a 3-0 home win against Wigan on Saturday.

A statement from the EFL on Tuesday afternoon said: “The EFL can confirm that Crewe Alexandra’s Sky Bet League One fixture with Oxford this evening has been postponed.

“Following consultation with the club, they have determined they are unable to fulfil the fixture.”

Crewe said in a statement of their own: “Following consultation with the EFL, Crewe Alexandra has decided that our game with Oxford United this evening should be postponed.

“The decision has been taken after fully considering the relevant guidance from the Government and EFL.

“The football club will now continue to work with the EFL to ensure our fixture with Blackpool (scheduled for Saturday) and subsequent games go ahead as planned.”