Simpson insists festive cheer can lift Town fortunes

Friday 25th December 2009, 9:00AM GMT.

Snow was cleared from the pitch at the Prostar Stadium on Christmas Eve, ready for tomorrow's big match

“If that’s the case and we do our jobs properly, by the time the games on January 2 come around, we could find ourselves back in the play-offs and with the chance to push on in the New Year.”

Town are taking every precaution to ensure their Boxing Day clash – when a crowd in excess of 6,000 is hoped for – gets the green light.

Glasgow-based pitch protection specialists AAASK made the 12 hour journey to Shropshire yesterday after being called in by Town following the recent cold snap.

They will use covers which will be inflated by hot air blowers which it is hoped will remove the frost from the pitch after a week in which temperatures at the Prostar Stadium have plummeted as low as -7.

A favourable forecast for rising temperatures also offers hope, and general manager Jon Harris said: “Boxing Day is traditionally a big day of football and we want the game on.

“We have done what we can and we would be massively disappointed if the game didn’t go ahead now.”

Paul Murray is set to be available for selection after missing the Rochdale defeat.

By JAMES GARRISON