HOPES are high that Bury's home clash against Brentford tonight will beat the arctic weather.

The club are desperate to play the Bees after Saturday's visit by high-flying Stoke City was postponed because of a frozen pitch.

The cancellation cost the Shakers thousands of pounds and was a massive blow for chairman Terry Robinson who was expecting a bumper gate with the Potters possibly bringing the biggest away following of the season.

However, groundsman Mike Curtis and his staff have been working like Trojans to get the surface ready and he was confident of the game going ahead.

"The pitch is softening up nicely and after we took the covers off had thawed within five hours," he explained.

"All the snow has gone and as long as is doesn't freeze or we don't get a lot more rain it should be okay.

"We'll continue forking it and break up what ice is left but if the weather continues like it has been the game will go ahead."

Bury boss Andy Preece is also desperate to get the game played and pick up some vital points to move his side up the Second Division table.

"It's in the balance at the moment but we really could do with playing. Brentford and keen to play and they have given us as long as we need to get the pitch ready," he said.

"Some teams won't travel without knowing if the game is on or off but they've been okay about it and have said to leave it as long as possible." Preece will be without midfielders Paul Reid and Darren Bullock who are both suspended but apart from those two he has a clean bill of health.

He gave his players the weekend off after a particularly tough training session on Friday and hopes to start getting some action in.

"We really need to get matches played because it's going to be two games a week over the next month or so," he explained.

"With the postponements and our involvement in the LDV Vans Trophy the matches will be coming thick and fast and we don't need a backlog."

Kick-off at Gigg Lane is 7.45pm.