Town groundsman Alan Ferguson says that the Portman Road pitch will be fine for the beginning of the season, despite the recent Elton John concert. Around 200 tonnes of steel was used in the construction of the stage in front of the Greene King Stand and seats covered much of the pitch.

Ferguson told the club site: "There was a lot of seating on the pitch but it was well protected and there is no problem in that area.

"At the Greene King end, where the stage was, there was a lot of machinery coming in and out and it's bare in certain places but it's not too bad at all and I expect the grass to come through fine.

"We have a busy schedule with two home friendlies booked and possibly another on the lead up to the start of the season, and then we kick off with a home game against Gillingham. But I'm confident the pitch will be fine by then."

Ferguson, who has already won one Groundsman of the Year award in his time at Town, is one of three short-listed for the 2004 First Division award, the winner of which will be announced next month.

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