Port Vale v Crewe doubtful

Port Vale's home game against local rivals Crewe this weekend is already in doubt because of the freezing weather conditions.

The playing surface at Vale Park is still frozen and more sub-zero temperatures have been predicted ahead of Saturday. "(Groundsman) Steve Speed and his staff will review the pitch on a daily basis and make judgment calls based on its condition and the weather forecast," said club secretary Bill Lodey. "That may mean leaving the covers off the pitch so any sun or warmer temperatures can get to it. "The covers are there to protect the pitch from frost down to -3C, they are not heat covers. So once the frost had penetrated the covers there was no need to keep them on the pitch because they would have only trapped the cold air. "We hope the forecasters have got it wrong because this is a derby so, like with any game, we are working as though the game is on." Vale hope to avoid a second postponement after their game at Shrewsbury last weekend also fell foul of the weather.