Dagenham and Redbridge will clear snow from their covered pitch tomorrow in a bid to get their Boxing Day game on.

But the Essex club are increasingly optimistic the lunchtime showdown with league-leading Albion can beat the weather.

They report the Victoria Road surface is thawing beneath its covers and a thinning layer of snow.

Covers will be left on the pitch until Sunday morning although the fear is temperatures could dip on Christmas night.

Daggers were pessimistic on Monday about the game going ahead and there even appeared to be the chance of an early call-off.

However club secretary Terry Grover is now more hopeful.

He said: “As far as we can tell, the pitch is okay. We’ve had rain which has helped clear the terraces of snow, although there are still bits and pieces for us to do.

“It’s in the lap of the Gods now. We will leave it as late as possible but we are quietly confident.”

Albion boss Gus Poyet has been happy with his side’s training this week, despite the distinctly wintry conditions in some parts of Brighton.