BURY’s League One match at home to Sheffield United tonight has fallen foul of the wintry conditions.

The club yesterday brought forward a planned pitch inspection after further snow made it unplayable.

A quick check by match officials yesterday afternoon confirmed it was frozen and the highly anticipated League One clash with the Blades became the second match at Gigg Lane to be called off this week.

It followed a decision to postpone Saturday’s league match at home to Stevenage.

A statement released on the Bury website read: “Saturday’s game was postponed due to several areas of the pitch being frozen solid, namely the corners, the side of the pitch under the South Stand and both penalty areas.

“That remains unchanged. With heavy snow in the area overnight, the pitch is currently covered with three inches of snow on top of the covers.”

After struggling to pay of a PFA loan last week, which lifted a transfer embargo imposed by the Football League, Bury had been desperate to get the games on to bring in much-needed revenue. But the club said its first responsibility was to the safety of fans and players.

“With a large crowd expected and a heavy snowfall in the surrounding area, conditions will be difficult,” the statement added.“Also, with heavy snow overnight in and around the Pennines, we also have to think of the Sheffield United fans travelling to the game.”

Behind the scenes, manager Kevin Blackwell has been busy reshuffling his squad, recalling winger Marcus Marshall from Grimsby and re-signing Blackpool defender Ashley Eastham on loan until the end of the season. Eastham, aged 21, scored twice in 27 appearances for the Shakers during a season-long loan spell last campaign and will be available for their next match at Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Marshall, however, is not expected to stay long at Gigg Lane, with Luton reportedly interested in signing him.