THE wait for a Wanderers takeover is to run into next week – at best.

A deal for the much-vaunted sale by Ken Anderson, which was hoped to be finalised by close of play today, now looks as if it will not be completed as planned.

While the delay of any potential buyout will undoubtedly dent morale among the playing squad ahead of the crucial Championship fixture at QPR, it means that yet another month’s wages for all employees are to hit their accounts late.

Manager Phil Parkinson confirmed no one had been paid when he faced the media this morning, though he added there was still time for salaries to be issued before the close of play.

“I hope to get that call today, without a doubt, because it’s getting close to the stage where something has got to happen at the club,” he said. “I think everybody has been hanging on this cliff edge for a long time, the wages situation doesn’t help because as the month closes everybody starts talking about what’s going to happen with the wages this month.

“Ken and Paul [Aldridge, club consultant] are working very hard, it’s not easy to finalise deals though.

“The wages haven’t been paid today and today is pay day, they’re only late if it’s not been paid by the end of today.

“Obviously talks are still ongoing with potential investors, we’re waiting to hear what we hope will be some positive news. We’ve been in this situation for quite a few weeks, it’s frustrating for us that it causes that uncertainty around the club but I’ve been assured everything is being done to rectify the situation.”

While the identity of the possible new owner remains a closely-guarded secret, one name rumoured to be the leading contender is Laurence Bassini, Watford’s former owner.

But while The Bolton News understands Bassini – who has been declared bankrupt twice, in 2007 and 2014, and in 2016 completed a three-year ban from having any involvement with a Football League club – is not the front-runner, Parkinson was unable to shed any light on the buyer’s identity.

“I don’t know anything at all about the prospective owners,” he said. “We’re like all the supporters really, we’re waiting and hoping something can get resolved.

“I’ve been here before,when I was at Charlton I have met prospective owners and been out for lunch with them, and quite often those deals fell by the wayside.

“So until the deal is done you’re better off waiting because a lot of these deals do get to a certain point and then don’t materialise.”