Baggies battle to save local derby

West Brom officials are battling the elements in hope of saving the eagerly anticipated derby clash with Aston Villa.

Friday's white-out has had an impact both inside and outside the stadium though the pitch is in perfect nick.

“We were fully aware that the adverse weather would be arriving during the past day or so and we did everything we could to prepare for it,” said Mark Miles, Albion’s head of facility operations and development.

“We hired gritters to service both inside and outside the stadium yesterday and they will remain on site for the rest of today and tomorrow.

“The under-soil heating has been on for several days, which is keeping the pitch temperature at ten degrees celcius.

“We are making concerted efforts to remove the heavy snowfall from in and around the stadium and this operation will continue tomorrow morning.”