Rotherham United v Bournemouth: Millers trying everything to ensure game goes ahead

The Millers have lost seven games to the big freeze in the last six weeks and the absence of undersoil heating at their temporary home, the Don Valley Stadium.

Club officials are determined to ensure tonight's top of the table clash with Bournemouth beats the cold and have borrowed mobile heaters from neighbours Doncaster Rovers to stop the pitch freezing over.

Chief operating officer Paul Douglas said: "We are making every effort to get the Bournemouth game on. The ground staff are working overtime to get the pitch in the best possible condition and with the improving weather conditions we are very hopeful of getting the game played."

Temperatures overnight were scheduled to stay above freezing with today's temperatures as high as 5 degrees giving the Millers a fighting chance of getting the game on.

Visitors Bournemouth stayed in the north following a weekend victory at Crewe Alexandra and trained yesterday at Sheffield United's Shirecliffe Academy.

The Cherries are second in the table four points ahead of the Millers, who are third but who have played three games less.

Manager Moore yesterday extended the loan deals of Blackburn Rovers defender Gavin Gunning and winger Marcus Marshall until the end of the season.

Goalkeeper Jonathan Lund also joined the club on a one- month loan deal from Burnley.

Last six games: Millers DLWLWW, Cherries WWLLLW

Last time: Millers 1 Cherries 0; January 17, 2009; League Two.

Referee: N Swarbrick (Lancashire).