CHESTER CITY’S ground staff have been working tirelessly over the past couple of days in an attempt to beat the arctic conditions and ensure that Saturday’s Coca-Cola League Two match against Hereford United at the Deva Stadium goes ahead.

When the weather forecast for this week was published by the Met Office, City chairman Stephen Vaughan forked out a substantial sum of money to purchase some frost-beating tarpaulins to cover the Deva pitch.

“This is a new type of cover, and we are told by the suppliers, that if the playing surface is covered prior to frost and snows, it acts like a blanket, and eradicates the elements from getting to the pitch.

“We are extremely keen to ensure that the match against Hereford goes ahead. The scheduled 12noon kick-off hasn’t helped our cause, because under normal circumstances we would have an extra three hours on match days to get the playing surface fit. But the ground staff have worked hard preparing the pitch early and then ensuring that it was covered properly.”

City have announced that Chester supporters who normally sit in the East Stand face certain seating changes this Saturday.

Block I and the first two rows of Block H close to the away South Terrace, will be closed as a public safety measure at the request of the police.

Meanwhile, Vaughan also revealed last night that Chester are close to agreeing two possible additions to their squad, when the emergency loan arrangement system opens in the next few days. He said: “We have spoken to a few clubs and identified players we would like to bring to Chester. Hopefully we will be able to announce some new arrivals on loan in the next week or so.”