BOLTON Wanderers insist they are making strides in the takeover process and that paying player salaries will be top priority on its completion.

The club has responded to a statement made by the first team squad which expressed dismay at a broken promise from owner Ken Anderson to pay February wages today if a deal to sell the club had not been finalised.

A four-strong consortium, led by Sharon Brittan and Parminder Basran, is understood to be in negotiation with Anderson but complications had arisen over the weekend which put the deal into some doubt.

A club spokesman claimed this evening, however, that talks were ongoing and that another update would be made before tomorrow night’s game against Sheffield Wednesday.

“We are disappointed that the players have taken this course of action; however we will continue to have ongoing dialogue with them.

“The takeover process is progressing and all parties are working hard to reach a speedy completion. We hope to make a further statement prior to Tuesday’s game.

“Once finalised all outstanding salaries will be paid as a matter of urgency.”

The EFL have vowed to investigate Anderson’s non-payment of wages after players brought the players’ union, the PFA, in to act on their behalf.

Players could potentially give notice on their contracts at the end of the week if they are not paid what is due.

Full and part-time staff non-playing staff were paid last week after waiting a week or more for their wage, but only after Bolton Council had threatened to call-off the game against Millwall over safety concerns.