Boss Graham Turner believes Shrewsbury Town are on course to beat the big freeze – by staging Saturday’s League Two clash with Cheltenham.

Town have not played since beating Hereford 4-0 on Tuesday, November 23, having had a blank weekend as a result of being out of the FA Cup and then seeing last Saturday’s trip to Accrington Stanley postponed.

But the ground staff have covered the Greenhous Meadow pitch and Shrewsbury are confident they can get back to business against the Robins.

“The forecast is that it will get milder towards the end of the week,” said Turner.

“The pitch cover is on  and the ground is soft underneath.

“We’re very confident of holding a game this Saturday and we’re very eager to get it on.

“We’ve had no game for two weekends on the run and it’s difficult to maintain the level of training and fitness you are looking for,” the Town boss added.

“But we’re fortunate that the facilities we have got here are very good and the players have responded well.”

* Midfielder Craig Disley is struggling with a slight thigh strain while on-loan centre-back Exodus Geohaghon continues to be sidelined by a knee injury.

Turner rates both players as “touch and go” to line-up against Cheltenham – but reports that new loan signing Andrew Tutte, from Manchester City, has settled in well in training.

By Chris Hudson