Edgbaston groundsman Steve Rouse says he faces a tough battle to prepare the pitch for next week's third Ashes Test between England and Australia.

Heavy rain has hampered preparations and with more downpours forecast, the outlook for Rouse's team is bleak.

"It's a nightmare," he told BBC Sport. "We've had two actual dry days in the last 10 and the wicket is like jelly.

"It has to be ready a day before and I've got no chance of getting it solid, not with the weather coming in."

Test pitches are normally hard for pace and bounce, or dry and dusty to aid spinners.

Rouse suffered similar problems four years ago when a tornado in Birmingham and three inches of rainfall at the Warwickshire ground left him four days behind schedule.