PLAYER sales will be inevitable if Wanderers fail to secure long-term funding by the end of the transfer window.

After the release of midfielder Medo Kamara last week, Shola Ameobi has now been told his contract will not be renewed, leaving any appearance he makes in tonight’s FA Cup replay against Eastleigh to be his last.

But Whites fans have been warned to expect more outgoings, with the wage bill expected to be cut by up to a third to get the club back on an even financial keel.

Wanderers staved off a winding up order from HMRC yesterday at the High Court in London, granted an adjournment until February 22.

It is hoped that the £2.2million bill will eventually be paid with the proceeds of a car park sale totalling £3million, which will also help pay for this month’s wages.

Takeover talks continue with “three or four” parties but the club is coming to terms with the fact they may not be concluded quickly and that further capital must be raised with the sale of other assets.

Assistant boss Steve Walford admitted he and Neil Lennon would have to “deal with” the loss of players such as Mark Davies, Zach Clough and Josh Vela, if offers were accepted by the end of this month.

A timely cash boost could be secured tonight by beating Eastleigh and booking a fourth round clash with Leeds United at home.

And Walford says he has taken some encouragement from the attitude shown by the players, despite recent defeats against Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest.

“They’re scrapping for their lives,” he said. “They’ve forgotten about everything that is going on at the football club and they’re just trying to win games for the club and themselves. They’re doing their utmost to try and keep the team in the Championship.”

David Wheater will be missing for six weeks with a hamstring injury and Emile Heskey is also unlikely to feature at the Macron because of a calf problem.

Ameobi has missed the last eight games with a virus and a groin injury but could be given a last hurrah against the Spitfires before leaving the club.

“Shola is fine, he’s fit,” Walford said. “But he's obviously on a short-term contract which runs out on Saturday and we're not in a position to renew anyone's contract so this will be his last week at the football club.

“He's done fine in training and he's ready to play tomorrow if need be.

“You'd like to keep someone of his experience around the football club but we're not in a position to do that. It's a shame but I'm sure he'll get fixed up somewhere else.”