Shrewsbury Town have started a massive mop-up operation in an effort to save Friday night's Nationwide League Division Three home game with Southend United.

The Shrews have not played on their Gay Meadow pitch since October 27 as the playing surface, and a good part of the ground generally, has been under water since the River Seven burst its banks in torrential and continuous rain.

Fortunately, conditions have improved in Shropshire in the last few days and club director Keith Sayfritz said yesterday (Monday): "We are having water pumped from the pitch with help from the fire brigade and, provided this work goes ahead without problems, are hopeful that the match will be played."

One of Shrews big problems is that, once the pitch is clear of water, the giant task of disinfecting the whole ground, on the advice of health authorities, will have to be carried out for fear that sewage in the waterwhich ran through offices, stands and dressing rooms could cause infections.

One piece of bright news is that in a previous season Shrewsbury were able to carry out a similar pumping operation after floods and played a match 48 hours later.

A club spokesman added: "Obviously this is a situation we must keep looking at on a day to basis but, with no heavy rain forecast for the next few days, we are cautiously optimistic that the match with Southend will be played."

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