Rangers boss planning for call off

Stafford Rangers manager Chris Brindley is already planning a Saturday return to action with the rearranged visit of Redditch all but postponed.

A pitch inspection was due for Marston Road for midday but that is expected to be little more than a formality for tonight's game, in what would be the fourth game in succession to fall to the weather.

The big thaw is expected this week with Rangers' due at Brian Little's Gainsborough Trinity on Saturday, and the Lincolnshire club are also expected to call off tonight's visit of Tamworth in the FA Trophy.

Not one game made it at the weekend in the Blue Square North or the trophy, with most tonight expected to follow suit, and all pinning their hopes that this is the last of the big freeze.

Brindley, whose players have not even trained outdoors this year, is following that as a guideline.

He said: "The pitch is rock hard at the moment, the snow might shift off it with a bit if rain but the surface is still frozen. We can't control the weather, everybody up and down the country is in the same boat.

"We are just waiting to start again. Saturday's looking a bit more promising, with the forecast looking a little warmer we are hopeful we can play the game.

"That has to be our focus now."