City will have to wait until next week before coming out of administration.

But chief executive Julian Rhodes assured fans there is nothing to worry about as the club tie up the loose ends of the deal with the Professional Footballers' Association.

Rhodes, who met bankers Lombard in London yesterday, said: "Great advances have been made from last Friday in terms of finalising the legal agreement. We are expecting it to be concluded imminently which may run into next week. But it nothing for the supporters to be worried about. There are no other issues other than the time it takes to finish off a complex agreement. Things are going backwards and forwards between lawyers but the situation hasn't changed."

Once the PFA deal is signed, City's Football League share will be returned which will rubber-stamp the club's company voluntary arrangement and allow the administrators to go back to court.

Chairman Gordon Gibb said: "The PFA and league situation is all fine-tuning now and legal paperwork. It's nothing for anybody to get scared about."