Crewe v Bradford: Deadline extended as City sale draws closer

Talks have been ongoing since early this year over a 100 per cent buy-out by the former QPR chairman.

A deadline of yesterday was set to resolve those negotiations, but that has been extended for several more weeks with a view to finalising the sale by joint City chairmen Julian Rhodes and Mark Lawn.

As revealed in this newspaper on Wednesday, Paladini, who is expected to bring on board investors when the deal is completed, has met manager Phil Parkinson at the club’s training ground.

A year ago, Parkinson’s men travelled to the north-west on the final day knowing that victory could relegate their hosts and a similar scenario will face them again tomorrow.

Crewe Alexandra sit two points and two places above the drop zone, but can be caught by three clubs if they lose to the Bantams and two if they draw.

Bradford, who relegated Tranmere from League One on the final day of last term, are desperate to end what has been a memorable season on a high.

“We just want to finish as well as we can and take a bit of momentum into the summer,” said Parkinson.

“I was pleased with how we did against Barnsley last week (in winning 1-0) – a hard-working and solid display.

“We go to Crewe knowing they need a result to guarantee their status in this division. But, equally, we want to get the points as well.

“It is a bit different to last year in that Crewe can still lose and stay up. Our focus, though, is entirely on what we need to do.”