The North American Soccer League is poised to announce up to three expansion teams by the end of April, The Telegraph understands.

The eight-team league needs 12 clubs in 2018 to keep its division two status after being handed a lifeline by the United States Soccer Federation early this year.

And three groups are close to being named new arrivals to the NASL, whose season kicks off again this weekend after a turbulent winter in which its very future appeared on the brink.

The NASL has also been in close conversations with two other groups but it was felt they were not yet ready to join the league.

Orange County, San Diego, Atlanta and Chicago have recently been linked with NASL expansion bids.

After the off-field difficulties faced by the Fort Lauderdale Strikers and Rayo OKC last year, prospective expansion groups have, significantly, been asked to fill in a detailed 10-point business proposal to ensure greater diligence in the process.

The NASL is also expected to create a new front office position that will exclusively deal with expansion and club services this summer.