Club call 8.30am pitch inspection after undersoil failure

Wigan Athletic have called a pitch inspection tomorrow morning, Saturday, at 8.30am after the undersoil heating at the DW Stadium failed this evening, Friday.

Following the inspection, match referee Stuart Atwell will decide whether the Barclays Premier League match at home to Aston Villa can go ahead.

The game was all set to go ahead after the club spent thousands of pounds on preparing the area around the stadium with extensive gritting and snow clearing over the past few days, and an inspection yesterday deemed that the area was safe to stage the match.

However, having been functioning day and night on full power virtually constantly since prior to the postponed Barclays Premier League against Bolton Wanderers on December 21^st, over two weeks ago, the undersoil heating at the stadium developed a malfunction tonight, around 5.00pm.

Engineers have been on site attempting to repair the fault but as yet, they have not been successful.

The club now has no option but to wait until tomorrow morning.

Manager Roberto Martinez says he is extremely frustrated, but has to accept that the game is now in serious doubt.

He said: "I have to congratulate our safety team at the stadium who have worked tirelessly to try and clear the area of ice and snow over the past few days. Our ground staff have also spent several nights at the stadium making the sure the pitch remained playable.

"We have to keep our fingers crossed that tonight's frost is not too severe, but a final decision rests with the referee."

News from tomorrow's inspection will be released immediately the outcome is known.