RADCLIFFE BOROUGH look to be in danger of being frozen out for at least another week as the icy temperatures continue to keep the region in the grip of winter.

Last Saturday's match at Stocksbridge was an early victim of the freezing conditions and the prospects for Saturday's home game against Belper Town are not good.

Even if a thaw did set in, the big danger then would be water lying on top of the bone-hard surface, creating the danger of water-logging.

Club officials were not hopeful of Saturday's game going ahead, but will wait until tomorrow to see if there has been any improvement in conditions.

The one benefit from the lay-off has been the chance for injury victims to get back to full fitness.

Boro's biggest doubt over the past few weeks has centred on centre back David Bean, who has been troubled by a knee injury.

Bean limped off during the 2-1 win over Eastwood Town at Stainton Park on December 15. He made an appearance in the Boxing Day defeat by Rossendale United, but was still not 100 per cent fit.

Now Bean should be well on the way to recovery after tweaking ligaments in his knee and assistant manager Mike Farrelly reckoned he would be ready for Saturday, if the game were to go ahead. Out of the reckoning though are left back Tony Whealing and striker Lee Kissock, who are both set to serve one-match bans after picking up five bookings.

Top scorer Jody Banim will return though after serving a one-match ban himself which forced him to miss the game against his old club, Rossendale United, at Stainton Park on Boxing Day.

Belper have been in turmoil over the holiday period, parting company with manager Martin Rowe on New Year's Day.

The club are currently second from bottom of the UniBond Division One table, just a point above bottom club Kendal Town, who inflicted a 2-1 defeat on the Derbyshire side in Cumbria last Saturday.

Senior player Craig Weston has been handed responsibility for team affairs and the 35-year-old midfield man will be relishing the opportunity to show he has the credentials for the job against Boro on Saturday.

He couldn't ask for a bigger test, for although Boro were knocked off top spot on Saturday after their game at Stocksbridge was frozen off, Kevin Glendon's men are sure to provide a stern test for any side when they get back into action.

Belper have been struggling for the last month with a series of adverse results, culminating in that defeat at Kendal.

A meeting is planned for tonight to discuss the situation at Christchurch Meadow.

Paul Cunningham is the club's top scorer, with 15 goals in all competitions. They will still be without long-term injury victims Paul Green, a defender, and midfield man Ross Mayes, but Weston could well include himself in the line-up.

He has been in the side recently, but may prefer to view things from the bench in his new role.