Exeter City prepare as normal despite the threat of heavy snow

Exeter City will be keeping a close eye on the weather today with heavy snow forecast for South Yorkshire putting their clash with Rotherham United tomorrow in serious doubt.

The Grecians will head north this morning, stopping en route for a training session, before setting up camp at their hotel this evening.

However, with snow forecast for Rotherham throughout today and heavy snow tonight, it could be a journey in vain for Tisdale's squad, who are up against one of their chief promotion rivals and making a first ever trip to the Millers' brand new New York Stadium.

"We don't know what will happen, we will have to play it by ear, but we will prepare as normal and carry on as if we are playing," Exeter boss Paul Tisdale said.

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"We can't be thinking about what happens if, we just have to concentrate on playing. The players haven't discussed at all what we should be saying to them, we are just going to carry on playing as normal and if it changes, then so be it."

According to the Met Office, who have issued a yellow weather warning for the area, the snow is expected to hit Rotherham at about 3am today with no let up until Sunday morning.

One player who won't be travelling even if the game is on, is new loan signing Anton Rodgers.

The 20-year-old has joined the Grecians on a youth loan for the remainder of the season from npower Championship promotion-chasers Brighton & Hove Albion, but it seems the deal was agreed with an eye on next season, as well as now.

Rodgers was initially going to join Exeter on trial, but such is the extent of their injury problems, manager Tisdale proposed to Brighton the prospect of a loan deal instead so that he could play for the Grecians if the need arises.

"I am always looking at a year or two years in advance in building a team, as you well know," Tisdale said. "Any manager will work towards this Saturday because it is about winning games, but he will also look into the next team and building a new team.

"[Rodgers] is a young player and a very competent footballer and I have known of him. He had the opportunity to look at another club, so we took him on loan.

"He may play, you never know. He is our player until the end of the season, so if things were to change and we get more injuries, then he will be available to play for us.

"In the meantime, it is a change of career path for him and an opportunity for him to show us what he can do here at Exeter and I would like to think we could tempt him here one day if we wish."

That opportunity may well arise with the injury to Matt Oakley a lot worse than first feared.

The former Southampton, Derby and Leicester midfielder had been in outstanding form for the Grecians before landing awkwardly during the recent home clash with Gillingham and dislocating his shoulder.

As well as being without his most influential and experienced midfielder, Tisdale must also make do without Tommy Doherty, Liam Sercombe and Alan Gow to long-term injuries.

"We have our fingers crossed about Tommy. He is having consultation with a specialist about his back, so there is a chance he could be back pretty soon," Tisdale said.

"I am not anticipating Matt, Liam Sercombe or Alan Gow to be back before the end of the season.

"We watched Matt's injury again on HD and in slow motion and it looked really, really painful the way he landed on his shoulder.

"It was very unfortunate, but he has severely damaged that shoulder and had reconstructive surgery on it on Tuesday. It was not nice."