Latics on weather watch

Icy conditions may wipe out Walsall clash

THE BIG freeze could put paid to Athletic’s trip to Walsall on Saturday.

Paul Dickov’s men are in the midst of a run of one defeat in 10 npower League One matches and the draw in frosty conditions at Rochdale pushed Athletic into a play-off position.

But players, officials and fans may be left kicking their heels as a result of the weather.

Snow showers are forecast for the West Midlands between now and the weekend, with temperatures not forecast to rise above freezing — with a low of minus six degrees — in that period.

Walsall have no undersoil heating at the Banks’s Stadium, but they do have covers.

And while a postponement would be seen by Athletic as possibly stifling the current momentum, bottom-of-the-table Walsall’s chief executive Roy Whalley would have other worries as he estimated that two consecutive home postponements around the turn of this year cost the club around £100,000 in lost revenue.

Athletic’s players were forced to train indoors yesterday due to frozen pitches at Chapel Road and Little Wembley and instead took part in gym and pool work.

Last night’s scheduled Lancashire Senior Cup tie against Manchester United at Stalybridge was postponed as a result of the Bower Fold pitch being frozen. The two clubs have yet to finalise a new date for the game.

A pitch inspection will take place today ahead of tomorrow’s scheduled totesport.com League fixture away to Morecambe.

The game is due to be played in Kendal with a 7pm kick-off.