Jamshedpur: International consultant Dean Gilasbey expressed satisfaction with the state of the turf at JRD Tata Sports Complex after ploughing the ground with a fork and ruled it fit for Sunday's Indian Super League match between FC Pune and Jamshedpur FC.

In the steel city to inspect the turf on behalf of ISL promoters IMG-Reliance, Gilasbey said, "The next match will certainly be held here," his assurance to The Telegraphcoming amid talk that the ground may be under-prepared as portions of the top soil and grass were peeling off at places during JFC's first home match on December 1.

Gilasbey, who spent over half-an-hour at the greens, watched the turf from close quarters. He even ploughed the surface with a fork and a long nail several times to be sure the soil was intact. But the consultant, who has been in sports field management for over 20 years, declined to reveal anything more on his findings.

His findings put to rest anxieties about whether the venue would be ready to hold subsequent ties after the sorry show on December 1.

Groundsmen were relieved that Gilasbey was satisfied with the condition of the turf.

"Gilasbey was satisfied by the rooting of ryegrass and the overall surface. He is going to stay put in the steel city till the coming match," one of the groundsmen said, adding that fertiliser used for quick growth of the grass seemed to have worked.

According to him, the pitch would get better during the next match. "I am not saying soil will not get ploughed out by pressure but it will much less in comparison to what happened during JFC's first match here. The turf will settle to a nicely by the time the third match (Jamshedpur FC vs Chennaiyin FC) takes place on December 28," he added.