GIANNI Paladini's bid to buy City has taken a significant step forward as the club prepare for a game that could mark the end of an era.

The Telegraph & Argus understands that the Italian has been given the green light to extend his exclusivity period by a further fortnight.

City have been pushing for a speedy resolution with the former QPR chairman and their agreement to grant him more time – and stop other interested parties getting involved – is a clear indication that the situation is developing.

It means that tomorrow's season finale at Crewe could also be the last under the joint-ownership of Mark Lawn and Julian Rhodes.

Paladini has already met Phil Parkinson when Lawn took him on a tour of the training ground earlier in the week.

But the City boss would not be drawn on takeover developments as he focuses on maintaining his side's unbeaten run-in against relegation-threatened Alex.

Crewe moved to within touching distance of survival after last week's huge win at fellow strugglers Coventry. A draw tomorrow should be enough to guarantee they stay up – but Parkinson stressed that it will not be a "gimme" for the hosts.

He said: "It's a big game in that there's something resting on it for Crewe. But it's the same for us as well because we want to finish the season on a high.

"We want to go into the summer four games unbeaten but we know it's going to be tough. Crewe are a good side and played really well away to Coventry.

"They did it last year and produced a result when it really mattered (to avoid relegation) on the final day. Now they've gone and done it again."

Oliver McBurnie is back in the squad after his second loan stint in the Conference with Chester, where he scored four goals in his last seven appearances. But he is nursing a tight calf, which makes him a slight doubt.

Parkinson will not throw in any youngsters from the start but youth-team winger Dylan Mottley-Henry could be involved at some stage after being one of four scholars offered a professional contract this week.

As it stands, Crewe can still be overhauled by Colchester, Crawley and Notts County and hauled into the bottom four.

Parkinson said: "The other teams in the division will be looking at us to produce a professional performance. There's a lot at stake on the final day in terms of relegation.

"In terms of the integrity of the rest of the division, not just for ourselves, we'll go and play there as well as we can.

"We go into it in a confident frame of mind but also respecting Crewe after their great result last week. They are fighting for their lives.

"I'm expecting a good crowd, which I think will help. We've got to play like we did last weekend when we beat Barnsley.

"We've beaten our points total from last year now and we've still got that mini-target of finishing as high in the league as we can."