The Doctor's special powers can't protect him from Wayne Rooney

BBC One is showing Watford's clash with Manchester United before the drama, and says it will postpone the show to make way for any extra play or penalties.

A spokeswoman said the programme could not be broadcast after extra time as it would be "too late" for younger fans.

Saturday's episode features comedian Ardal O'Hanlon as a guest star.

If it is postponed, it will have a knock-on effect on BBC Three's schedules for the rest of the week.

Behind-the-scenes show Doctor Who Confidential, which normally goes out straight after the BBC One programme, will also be postponed for a week.

It will be replaced by Rose - the very first episode of the revamped Doctor Who series from 2005.

New York Daleks

On Sunday, when the BBC One show is usually repeated, viewers will see The Christmas Invasion, 2005's festive special.

Doctor Who has been a huge ratings success for the BBC, with 8.2 million viewers tuning in for the first episode of series three.

The opening programme saw the Doctor, played by David Tennant, joined by a new assistant, trainee doctor Martha Jones - played by actress Freema Agyeman.

Last week's show saw the time-travellers visit Shakespearean London. A future episode features the Daleks invading New York.

The BBC says the decision on whether to pull this week's show from the Saturday evening schedule will be made "on the day".