Birmingham City FC are confident that the Carling Cup Quarter Final tie will go ahead as planned

Dec 1 2010 by Colin Tattum, Birmingham Mail

Birmingham City are confident tonight’s big match will go ahead – whatever the weather.

The squad trained on the St Andrew’s turf yesterday and the pitch was said to have stood up well to the snow and sub-zero temperatures which have hit the Midlands in the past few days.

And, as an extra precaution, the ground’s undersoil heating has been on to ensure there is no last-minute postponement.

Blues staff have also been out around the ground to ensure concourses and seating areas are free of snow and do not present a safety hazard to fans of both sides braving the elements.

The club even has a JCB on standby to clear car parks at the ground if there are any more snow flurries. Blues spent more than £300,000 on fitting undersoil heating in the summer of last year.

The decision was made after the club’s FA Cup third-round tie against Wolves had to be postponed in January 2009.

Temperatures dipped to between minus six and eight on the night before the match.