Cheltenham Town's Whaddon Road was under more than an inch of snow earlier today putting Saturday's Division Three clash with York City in doubt.

While the snow can be easily cleared, more is expected and freezing temperatures are adding to the problems for the groundstaff.

As a pointer to the problems in Gloucester, the clerk of Cheltenham Racecourse, Simon Claisse, admitted today he is "pessimistic" about prospects for Saturday's race meeting.

The track is currently unraceable and an inspection will be held tomorrow.

"We have one and a half inches of snow lying on top of five degrees of overnight frost," Claisse said.

"They are talking about a rise in temperature this afternoon and we have called an inspection for 11.00am tomorrow.

"We need to see what things look like tomorrow but I am pessimistic."

Cheltenham manager Steve Cotterill also has major selection problems with up to nine players set to miss the visit of the Minstermen due to injury or suspension.

Topping the list is York-born striker Neil Grayson, who was today due to have a scan on an ankle injury picked up in the Robins' 1-1 draw with Shrewsbury on Boxing Day.

It is the same ankle Grayson broke after scoring the second of his two goals in Town's 2-0 victory at Bootham Crescent at the beginning of the season.

City's players were going up to the Wigginton Road training ground today despite the big freeze that has gripped the country.

However, Steve Agnew was a notable absence, having limped off at half-time at Blackpool with hamstring problem and was not in the squad which won 1-0 at Macclesfield on Boxing Day.

It means that he will not be available for selection for Cheltenham game, nor will fellow midfielder Scott Jordan who has a thigh strain.

In better news for the City chief, central defender Mark Bower was due to resume training today after missing the trip to the Moss Rose Ground with a hamstring strain.

Centre-back Mark Sertori misses the trip to Cheltenham through suspension.