After today's inspection of the St James Park pitch we can provide supporters with the following update:
At 2pm on Friday, January 19 a PGMOL appointed official on behalf of the EFL undertook an inspection of the pitch, and he felt that with the improving temperatures there will need to be a further inspection tomorrow, to give the match every chance of going ahead.
The majority of the pitch is currently in good shape, but the areas that cause concern are in the shade of the Nevada Construction Main Stand.
After further consultation with PGMOL and the EFL, the pitch will again be inspected on the referees arrival around lunchtime on Saturday, which will give sufficient time to see how the pitch has responded to the warmer temperatures.
We will update supporters as soon as we can after the inspection tomorrow.