EX-WANDERERS striker Dean Holdsworth and his Sports Shield group are on the verge of completing a takeover at Bolton.

The Bolton News has learned that a short-term exclusivity has been granted and that a deal will be completed in the next few days to buy the club from majority stakeholder Eddie Davies.

It means that Wanderers have given Sports Shield sole rights to examine financial data and complete contractual formalities within a given period of time.

Wanderers face a High Court hearing on Monday, with HMRC petitioning to have the club liquidated in order to repay a tax and VAT bill totalling nearly £3million.

After months of discussion, the club knew they must find a new owner by the end of this week or go into voluntary administration, which would carry with it an instant 12-point deduction from the Football League.

Holdsworth’s group has been close to completing a takeover on a few occasions only for the deal to break down at the last minute. But after restructuring their bid last week they are now on the verge of being named as new owners.

Last week, Davies entered into direct discussions with oil and property magnate Roger Tamraz but was not able to complete the deal.

The newly-formed Bolton Wanderers Supporters’ Trust has also tried to gain preferred bidder status but fallen short. They intend to continue working towards gaining a place on the club’s board and have announced their intention to work with new owners.

Isle of Man-based businessman Dennis Rodgers has also been in advanced talks to buy the club but with Sports Shield now given exclusivity by the club, they are in the driving seat to complete the takeover.

Davies has stated his intention to wipe out around £185million of debts to pave the way for new ownership.

The Farnworth-born, Isle of Man-based businessman has been at the helm for 13 years, having secured his majority shareholding in 2003.

It is believed that Holdsworth will assume a chairman’s role but has not yet confirmed what changes will be made to the existing board.

The 47-year-old former striker became Wanderers’ club record signing in 1997 when Colin Todd paid £3.5million to bring him to Bolton from Wimbledon.

Since finishing his playing career professionally in 2005 he has held a number of non-league managers jobs, sampled league football with Aldershot Town and worked as assistant manager to Phil Brown at Derby County.

Holdsworth is a former chairman of the PFA and also founded the non-league PFA alongside his Sports Shield investment group.