IPSWICH Town have confirmed today’s Championship clash against Barnsley (3pm ko) has been given the green light after Portman Road passed a pitch and stadium inspection early this morning.

An extensive team worked overnight to clear the seating area an access points around the stadium and the safety officer at the club has given the green light for the game to be played.

The pitch has been covered overnight and the snow that did fall has been cleared off the playing surface and into the first two rows of the Cobbold Stand and the East of England Co-op Stand.

Supporters in the lower tier of the Cobbold Stand will be upgraded to the upper tier. They should access through their normal turnstiles and will be issued with new tickets at that point.

Only the first few rows at the front will be affected in the lower Co-op Stand. Supporters in this area should check with stewards as they enter the Stand and those sitting in the ‘snow covered seats’ will be allocated new seats in the upper tier.

Supporters in those areas are advised to arrive early to ensure they are relocated in time for kick-off.

All fans are advised to be careful in and around Portman Road and take extra care with their journeys to and from the stadium.

Meanwhile, Town chief executive Simon Clegg has paid tribute to the club staff for helping today’s game to go ahead.

He told the club website: “It was a real team effort by the staff, who all picked up a broom and a shovel and helped to clear the pitch.

“We were expecting more snow through the day – which fortunately didn’t arrive – but we were in a much better position to cope because of the efforts of the staff in the morning.

“Let’s hope it’s rewarded with three points against Barnsley today.”

Head groundsman Ben Connell and his team were always confident the pitch would be playable, with the surface covered for the week but the inflatable tent had to be lowered to deal with the weight of the snow that fell.

Mr Connell told the club website: “It was a great help having the staff out there on the Thursday night and then again on the Friday morning to help shift the snow when they had their own jobs to do.”