Aberdeen have confirmed an interest in laying an artificial pitch in a bid to beat the worst of the Scottish weather.

The Dons would be willing to pay an estimated �750,000 on a new fake turf surface, with Uefa promising to donate �150,000 to clubs willing to try out the man-made pitches on an experimental basis.

However, regulations already imposed by European football's governing body may scare the Dons off.

Current rules do not allow Champions League or Uefa Cup games to take place on artificial pitches.

And the Dons, who made it to the first round of this year's Uefa Cup competition, are reluctant to surrender their European dreams.

We see installing an artificial pitch as an important step forward for the club Keith Wyness Aberdeen chief executive

Chief executive Keith Wyness said: "Uefa have given the green light for artificial pitches to be used in domestic competitions.

"So it is disappointing they have stated they won't be allowed in European competitions.

"We wouldn't want to install an artificial pitch if we would then be forced to play European matches in Dundee or Perth.

"Aberdeen are keen to be included in the group of clubs chosen because we see installing an artificial pitch as an important step forward for the club."

If the Dons decide to go ahead with the venture, then they will have to be quick as four of the six available grants have already been allocated.

Installation is already nearing completion at SV Salzburg in Austria and the three other stadia which have been given the go-ahead are the Luzhniki in Moscow, which is used by Spartak and Torpedo, Denizlispor's Ataturk Stadium in Turkey and Swedish outfit Orebro's Eyravallen Stadium.