Looking bleak for AFC Telford's long trip to Blyth

AFC Telford United's Blue Square Bet North clash with Blyth Spartans on Saturday is already in doubt - with officials at the north-east club all but conceding defeat in their battle to beat the big freeze.

Spartans club secretary Ian Evans said a final decision will be taken later in the week but with temperatures dropping to minus 6c and more snow expected, he wasn't holding out much hope.

He said: "I'm 90 per cent sure that the game is going to be off.

"The only reason why we might get the game in is because we are very close to the coast and that could help clear some of the snow.

"We have a good coating of snow at the moment and we plan to leave that on because it helps to protect it from a frost. But the forecast for Friday night is minus 6 and more snow and that gives us no chance.

"We will look to make a decision on Friday and if there is no chance and the forecast is still bad we will call it off and save everybody travelling."

Blyth are not using covers although Evans added they did draft some in for their shock 3-1 FA Cup victory over Shrewsbury in 2008.

He said "We had some covers for our FA Cup run a few seasons ago and we used them to get the game against Shrewsbury on, but this time it snowed straight after our game last Tuesday night so even if we had them there was nothing we could have done."

Meanwhile Telford were given some good news with striker Adam Proudlock's rib injury not as serious as first thought.

The forward went off midway through the first half of the Bucks win over Guiseley on Saturday amid fears that he may have cracked a rib, but a precautionary x-ray revealed just minor bruising.

Telford boss Andy Sinton said: "It's positive news. We'll assess Adam at training this week."