Walsall's festive fixtures are on ice

Walsall's festive fixtures are set to be put on ice as the Saddlers suffer a nightmare before Christmas.

Their programme is facing a white out, with snow and sub-zero temperatures threatening the Boxing Day trip to Bristol Rovers.

Tuesday's visit of Dagenham & Redbridge is also in doubt with the ground frozen and covered in snow.

Saturday's game with Southampton was postponed, while the home clash with Oldham was also called off at the beginning of the month.

The team have been forced away from their Essington training base and were at the University of Wolverhampton's Walsall campus yesterday.

The Saddlers have also struggled to borrow indoor facilities from the likes of Premier League neighbours Birmingham, because Blues also need to use it.

And manager Chris Hutchings admitted their Christmas preparations, as they fight against the drop from League One, have been hit.

He said: "Unless you're like the Premier League sides it's a nightmare, but we have to deal with it.

"We're trying to get indoor facilities and sometimes you get them but then everyone can't get in. That's the scenario.

"It's very frustrating but we're preparing in the best way we can. Let's be realistic about. Since last Sunday it's been minus five, six, seven and eight, so the temperature has to soar to get the frost out of the ground and it needs to be like that for about three or four days.

"Everyone would be happy with an early postponement, but we'll prepare until we know otherwise. It's unlikely the game will be on but stranger things have happened.

"We'll have to wait and see, the referee will make a decision."

Rovers, who called off their home game with Colchester at the weekend, are working round the clock to ensure the match goes ahead.

They are clearing snow from the car park at the Memorial Stadium and gritted the roads and pavements yesterday.

As it stands the Pirates believe the pitch is playable but, with temperatures set to drop to around minus 8C on Saturday night, their frost covers are unlikely to cope.

A Rovers spokesperson said: "We lost the game to Walsall on Boxing Day last season and league didn't let us call it off early, we had to wait until the morning.

"They might be a bit more lenient given the conditions this year but we'll have to play it by ear, it depends how cold it gets.

"We're doing all we can."