RAINFALL across Worcestershire this week is throwing Worcester City's Isuzu FA Vase semi-final first-leg with Great Wakering Rovers at Claines Lane into serious doubt.

Much has been made of Claines' difficulties with drainage this season and City have had to borrow rain covers from Worcestershire CCC and local non-league club New Dales Vale to try and protect it with Saturday in mind.

But the weather has been, and looks set to continue to be, awful in the county and even with the club's best efforts, this weekend's sold-out clash remains under threat.

There has been discussions about moving the game from Claines to the artificial pitch at Sixways but FA rules state that for any of their competitions, changing venues for matches requires both clubs to agree.

The Worcester News understands that Great Wakering do not want to play on an artificial surface, which therefore means the game needs to be played at Claines Lane (or an alternative venue on grass).

If Saturday's game is postponed, FA rules state that the tie must be played within eight days of the original scheduled date. A spokesperson at City has said that the FA "would consider" taking "appropriate action" to ensure the game is played next weekend, most likely at Sixways.

The governing body have final say over venue changes and in order to prevent further delays to the cup tie, they appear to be willing to step in.

But this would again cause more fixture congestion for City. A postponement on Saturday would push the first-leg to April 6 and the second-leg to Saturday, April 13, when City are due to face Letcombe in the Marsh Challenge Cup semi-final.

And if Claines is unplayable for Saturday, it begs the question as to whether it will have recovered in time for Wednesday's Hellenic League Premier clash with Roman Glass St George (April 3).

The forecast shows that there will be more rain throughout Thursday and Friday, but it should have eased by the time the weekend arrives.