The big freeze today looks set to leave the Black Country derby postponed until the New Year.

Wolves and Albion were left kicking their heels after yesterday’s clash at the Hawthorns – the first in the top flight for over 26 years – was called off on Saturday afternoon.

Although undersoil heating left the pitch perfectly playable, the game fell victim to the icy conditions on safety grounds because the Baggies could not guarantee spectator safety in the areas around the stadium after up to 20cm of snow fell in a matter of hours.

With temperatures forecast to remain below freezing for the rest of the week and more snow set to fall, the clubs cannot re-arrange the match before Christmas.

The game was one of seven Premier League fixtures to be postponed due to the weather or safety reasons over the weekend, with only two games – at Blackburn and Sunderland – going ahead in the top flight.

With the whole region in the grip of the cold snap and Wolves and Albion having a congested fixture list over the festive season, the clubs are in no rush to re-schedule the game.

The first date it could be re-arranged for is the week commencing January 10, after the FA Cup third round ties.

The following week has been set aside for cup replays, should they be needed.

Albion released a statement on their website saying: “The club did everything in their power to get the game on but had to admit defeat on safety grounds.

“More than 20cm of snow fell between the early hours of Saturday morning and Saturday afternoon with no apparent let-up and temperatures are predicted to drop as low as minus 10 degrees C during the night.

“All tickets for this match will be valid for the re-arranged fixture.”

The postponement will give Wolves, who trained as normal on at Compton on Saturday, extra time to get some of their injured players back before they face Wigan at Molineux on Boxing Day.

Kevin Doyle (torn thigh), Michael Mancienne (knee) and Steven Mouyokolo (back) would have all missed the derby.

Weather permitting, Mancienne is due to see a specialist today.