WANDERERS’ crucial game at home to Ipswich Town will only go ahead this weekend if they can guarantee that staff have been paid, they can raise a full complement of stewards – and a team to take on their opponents.

A prohibition order had been issued earlier in the week, with the Safety Advisory Group (SAG) adamant the club could not guarantee fans’ safety for the Championship fixture and so banning supporters from entering the stadium.

However, an emergency meeting, held yesterday after Wanderers’ High Court appointment, led to the SAG issuing the club with a deadline of this morning to provide guarantees.   

An official statement is expected from the club today, but disaster appears to have been averted on two fronts - for now. 

Should matchday staff, including stewards and catering staff, receive their payments and agree to come to the stadium on Saturday there could yet be action on the pitch.

READ MORE: Recap the action as Bolton Wanderers appeared in the High Court

March’s salaries for all football, non-playing, hotel and office staff were due last Friday and have still to be issued, despite chairman Ken Anderson’s insistence the necessary money was in the accounts, saying in a message on the club website on Tuesday: “l have to apologise to all the non-playing staff for the delay in paying their salaries.

“And whilst there are sufficient funds in the club bank accounts to pay them, it is not currently possible until after April 3 for legal reasons and l sincerely apologise to everyone unreservedly for this and would again request their continued patience during these difficult times.”

The chairman issued a second message yesterday, inexplicably claiming the game going ahead: “may now depend on whether the players see sense and stay loyal to the supporters and season ticket holders and return to full training.”

The squad has declined to issue a statement regarding their stance.

Wanderers were granted a second reprieve at the High Court, with the winding-up order hearing adjourned for a second time, to be heard again the next time the court is in session on May 8.