PARTIES interested in buying Bolton Wanderers have been set a firm deadline by the club’s administrators.

All bids must be in by 4pm on June 7 along with £25million proof of funds and confirmation from the EFL that those involved have passed the owners and directors’ test and had their business plan rubber-stamped.

Two potential buyers have already paid the £25,000 fee to access a ‘data room’ of financial information compiled by accountants over the last 10 days.

More than 30 expressions of interest have been registered, and joint-administrator Paul Appleton is aiming to ensure a decision is made by the start of pre-season.

“This is an expedited process, and we’d ideally want a new owner in place by the time players return at the end of June – 26 or 27 - for training,” he said.

“There are very obvious reasons why we need to do this swiftly and efficiently and we cannot afford to entertain tyre-kickers or people on a fishing trip.”

Wanderers’ players have been informed that their wages will be deferred until a new owner is found but that the club will not be terminating existing contracts.

The likes of Ben Alnwick, Remi Matthews, Jason Lowe, Luke Murphy, Josh Magennis and Erhun Oztumer are expected to stay at Bolton unless they seek to have their deal terminated mutually.

Players were told in the last few weeks of the season that money was available to pay wages but that it was inaccessible because bank accounts were frozen.

That has been proved to be incorrect and though money has been found to pay stadium and non-football staff, the squad will have to wait until the club is sold.

“We have been in contact with the players through Phil Parkinson and they understand the situation and the difficulties we have faced,” Appleton added. “Their payments will be deferred until we have found another purchaser and we’ll be confirming that position in due course.”

Wages for non-football staff will be paid on Tuesday through BACS and will be made up to the end of the month.