THOUSANDS of football fans could face transport chaos if Metro workers go-ahead with a strike on the same day Newcastle United play a home match.

The threat comes as unions plan a new wave of strikes following the collapse of a deal aimed at settling a long-running dispute over the introduction of a 35-hour week on the railway.

Branch officials are discussing dates with the workforce and the first 24-hour stoppage could be held when Newcastle play their game against Fulham on Monday, January 19.

Bosses at Nexus, which runs the Metro, were taken by surprise after workers rejected the deal, despite a recommendation by negotiators that they should accept the package.

A Nexus spokesman said: "We are confused as to why union negotiators recommended a deal to their members which they have rejected."

Representatives of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, which represents 280 workers, including about 60 drivers, say they are willing to talk to Nexus. But, in the meantime, a strike programme will be drawn up.

This will have to be approved by the union's national executive after which the union will give the management eight days' notice of any action.