Carlisle United's game at Cheltenham Town this weekend is OFF.

The League One clash has been postponed because of a frozen pitch at the Completely-Suzuki Stadium.

The surface has been covered for several days this week but it has not survived the sub-zero temperatures.

An inspection was carried out by an EFL referee at about 11am today.

And it was then confirmed that the game was off and would have to be rearranged, despite temperatures being expected to rise over the next 24 hours.

"A decision has been made to call off tomorrow’s game early to avoid unnecessary travel," said the Blues in a statement.

Cheltenham added: "The frost covers have been on the pitch all week but temperatures for the past two nights have fallen so low that a considerable amount of frost has got into the pitch.

"On balance it was felt that temperatures are not forecast to rise high enough to remove the frost before kick-off so the decision has been taken to postpone the match.

"The timing of the decision has also taken into account the considerable journey faced by opponents Carlisle and a desire to inconvenience them as little as possible.

"Tickets already purchased for the match will be valid for the rearranged date, which will be announced in due course."

Carlisle were hoping to chalk up a significant result in the League One survival fight on Saturday against one of their closest rivals.

Instead the Blues will now be out of action until next Saturday's home clash with Bolton Wanderers.

United will now hope none of their other rivals in the relegation battle pick up points in the games that survive this weekend in the meantime.

The postponement comes despite Paul Simpson saying the Robins had told United they expected "no issues" with the game.

Speaking on Thursday afternoon, Simpson said: "They are going to inspect the pitch, but they've said to us [that] they're not expecting any issues. The pitch has been covered for the week."

United were due to train this morning before making the trip to Gloucestershire.