It’s snow joke for Burnley FC boss Laws!

Boss Brian Laws, himself snowed in this week, cancelled training yesterday for the players’ safety, and as they prepare for the long haul to the South Coast, Southampton Airport, where they were due to fly today, was, at the time of writing, closed due to the adverse weather.

So, the coach was being prepared for a journey that takes long enough in good weather, and Laws admits it isn’t the ideal preparation for the latest attempt to break the Clarets’ away duck: “I’ve been stuck at home for two days - I opened my front door and the snow was halfway up it!

“I spent two hours digging my way out, but we had to turn around after going shopping for food.

“We cancelled training for the players’ safety, and we’re keeping in close contact with Portsmouth.

“We were flying down, but Southamnpton Airport is closed, and if we were to go by coach, we would have to go through all the areas hit heavily with snow.

“I’ll be surprised if it’s on - Portsmouth have no undersoil heating, and we really need a decision as early as possible - even if we were flying, the supporters are also at risk, and their safety is paramount.”

Covers were laid at Fratton Park last Thursday, and, at the time of writing, the pitch was playable, and Laws added: “We have to make every effort to get there, but I think it could be a blank weekend for a lot of people.”

Laws admits it is far from ideal: “Our preparation hasn’t been helped.

“We’ve trained indoors, but the players were off Wednesday, and we cancelled Thursday’s training - it was safer for the lads to go to their local gym.

“But, you never know, something like this could trigger our first away win of the season.”

Lying in wait are two familiar faces, in former Clarets boss Steve Cotterill and striker David Nugent, who spent last season on loan at Turf Moor.

Laws and Cotterill know each other well, and Laws said: “I’ve known Steve a long time, particularly during the early stages of his managerial career.

“I’ve managed against him many times.

“Steve did a terrific job here, and he is well thought-of.

“It was a surprise to me to see him out of the game so long - it was a long period, and the frustration must have been enormous.

“But he has the enthusiasm and enjoys challenges.

“It’s been very difficult, and I’ve got to say I feared for Portsmouth at the start of the season.

“But he’s got them on a great run of results, and, on paper, they have an outstanding team - one of the strongest in the league.

“The problem is, the depth is not as strong, and it will be a challenge to continue that form as injuries, suspensions and loss of form will weaken the team.

“They are doing very well though, and they are all Premier League players in the side.”

That is where Nugent wanted to be playing his football still, but Burnley’s relegation made any permanent deal impossible, and a switch to Blackpool fell through on deadline day.

Laws would have loved to have landed the former Preston frontman, but the transfer fee and wages were prohibitive: “I’m a great admirer of David.

“He was excellent for us last season, and I was keen to keep hold of him, but the finances were just too great in the end.

“He was in a strong position and wanted to see how things panned out with Portsmouth, and Premier League clubs.

“Ian Holloway at Blackpool had an interest, but, as regards ourselves, it just wasn’t going to happen.

“We were at the top of his list if we could have done something about the finances, but the valuation and wages were unbalanced.

“We’re all looking forward to seeing him, although we are aware of his qualities.”

Burnley go in search of their first away win of the season at the 10th attempt, and Laws is desperate to break the hex: “It’s very much on our lips, we want to break this situation.

“And we have to sooner rather than later just to calm things down and give us that counter balance with our home form. We can’t keep relying on our home results.

“It’s not like we haven’t played well away from home, but we don’t want it to turn into a mental thing, we want to be nice and relaxed and play our game.”

Chris Eagles and Martin Paterson will again face fitness tests.