UEFA are hopeful that Manchester United's Europa League clash with Zorya Luhansk will go ahead on Thursday night despite fears over a frozen pitch in Odessa.
Jose Mourinho is unhappy the game has been staged in Ukraine in December as Zorya prepare for their penultimate game before taking a winter break.
But ground staff at the Chornomorets Stadium have been blowing hot air under the pitch covers overnight and it is understood that the temperature could rise to two degrees above freezing by kick-off - higher than the original estimate of seven below.
UEFA delegates held a pitch inspection at 8am UK time on Thursday morning and one official said: 'The pitch is at it's coldest now.