Boss Graham Turner hopes Shrewsbury Town’s game at Oxford beats the latest band of snow tomorrow – and that conditions suit their passing style of football.

Oxford have laid covers over the pitch at the Kassam Stadium and are confident that the League Two clash will go ahead.

That is exactly what Turner wants to hear, though he is also concerned that a hard or frozen surface would force a change of style.

“There is supposed to be a band of snow coming in tomorrow and some extremely cold weather so there must be a degree of doubt about whether the game can go ahead,” said the Shrewsbury manager.

“We want it on, and on as good a condition of pitch as is possible.

“We like to play a bit so we don’t want it to be bone-hard and bobbly.

“All clubs have got frost covers these days that can keep the frost out to minus 5c.

“I also take heart from the fact that when there was a lot of football off a fortnight ago Oxford still managed to play.”

Town are likely to be without midfielder Andrew Tutte, who has been unable to play since signing on loan from Manchester City at the end of last month.

The 20-year-old has been suffering back spasms and, though he did feature in training yesterday, Turner admits tomorrow’s game at Oxford may have come too soon.

“At the times he has trained with us he’s looked a very good player,” he said.

“But you can never be sure with back problems – hopefully he’ll be better for tomorrow but I’d say it’s unlikely.”

Dutch forward Benjamin van den Broek is also sidelined tomorrow, having picked up a knee ligaments injury during Tuesday’s reserves clash with Accrington Stanley that will keep him out for between four to five weeks.

By CHRIS HUDSON