Ipswich Town have offered Colchester United their old pitch covering - but it is not in time to make tonight's all-ticket clash with Second Division leaders Millwall a certainty.

Already postponed because of snow and ice three weeks ago, the game is in serious doubt once again following the heavy downpours of Sunday, yesterday and today (Tuesday).

It is 46 days since the U's played at Layer Road when they saw off Oxford United 3-2 on December 22 last year.

If tonight's game also falls by the wayside it will be at least 50 days before the U's can try again - against promotion-chasing Wigan at home on Saturday.

"It's all so frustrating," said U's chief executive Marie Partner today. She said Ipswich chairman David Sheepshanks had offered the old pitch covering on Saturday.

"It is a wonderful gesture from our Premiership neighbours, who are keen to help us out in any way.

"At the very least the covering will give us a great chance to salvage Saturday's game with Wigan."

If the game does get the green light U's boss Steve Whitton is hoping his latest signing Scott McGleish caps a winning return to Layer Road with a goal.

Whitton said: "Now that Scott has opened his account at Bournemouth on Saturday it will be nice if he continues the trend tonight.

"We've simply got to make our home form count. We've prepared well and hopefully a big crowd who have been starved of the football at Layer Road will turn up in their droves to cheer us on to a win."

Scheduled kick off is 7.45pm.

Hoping to make his mark - Scott McGleish.

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