THE EFL have said they will not force Wanderers to play their final game of the season against Brentford IF they are placed into administration.

The league have announced the game will take placed at the University of Bolton Stadium on Tuesday, May 7.

But they also acknowledge a whole host of problems are to be negotiated before a ball is kicked.

Senior players have not agreed to play, staff remain unpaid - and it is likely that the stadium will not be granted a safety certificate if the situation is not resolved before the Bank Holiday Weekend.

The original game was postponed when Wanderers’ players went on strike over unpaid wages for March and April – the first league game cancelled for industrial action in the English professional game’s history.

The EFL had originally insisted that the match was played as quickly as possible but have now climbed down and issued the following statement this evening: “The EFL board has determined that Bolton Wanderers’ suspended Sky Bet Championship fixture with Brentford is to be played on Tuesday, May 7, 2019 and the club (Bolton) has been instructed to make the necessary arrangements.

“As previously advised, EFL Regulations provide that any League match can be played within four days of the end of the normal playing season (Sunday, May 5, 2019).

“The board also discussed the potential of Bolton Wanderers being placed into administration and took the view if that was to happen, the EFL would not insist the game be played.

“The rationale for adopting that approach is that it is the board’s view that any administrator should be allowed to concentrate their efforts and available funding on finding a purchaser for the club, rather than staging the fixture in these unprecedented circumstances.

“The EFL is also aware that the club’s Safety Advisory Group (SAG) is due to meet tomorrow (Friday, May 3) and we would advise all supporters to wait until the details for the game are confirmed by the club before making any travel arrangements.”

Preparations have been made to put Wanderers into administration over the last few weeks but Laurence Bassini’s efforts to buy the club solvent continue, with the former Watford owner meeting the EFL at 7pm this evening.