West Ham Women have been forced to postpone Sunday’s meeting with Everton as a result of a flu outbreak which has ravaged their squad.

Matt Beard’s side currently find themselves eighth in the league, but Sunday’s fixture was set to give them the chance to try and climb further in the table.

However, the club took to their ​official website to confirm that they had been forced to postpone the game because of a ‘significant’ flu outbreak which has left them short of options in each position.

As of yet, there is no confirmed date for the rearranged fixture, with the club expected to make an announcement in due course.

The FA released their own statement on their ​website, adding: “We can confirm that the scheduled Barclays FA Women’s Super League match between ​West Ham United and ​Everton on Sunday 5th January has been postponed.

“This is due to widespread and severe flu virus that has affected a significant number of the West Ham United team.

“Player welfare is of paramount importance and the decision has been made to postpone the match in accordance with Barclays FA Women’s Super League Rule 11.3.8.”

The current campaign is the second in which West Ham have been part of the Women’s Super League. It has been a frustrating start to the season for Beard’s side, who have won just three of their nine games so far.

Their latest fixture, a meeting with ​Bristol City, was also postponed in the middle of December as a result of a waterlogged pitch, meaning West Ham have not played a competitive game since their 7-0 win over ​Crystal Palace on 11 December.

Their next game will come on 12th January against rivals ​Tottenham Hotspur at The Hive, when West Ham will hope to avenge the 2-0 loss which they suffered back in September.