Fears that AFC Wimbledon could be left temporarily without anywhere to play their home matches because of their stadium crisis have been eased after it emerged Chelsea would be open to letting them continue using ­Kingsmeadow.

Standard Sport yesterday reported Wimbledon are facing a financial crisis and a race against time as they bid to complete their move back to Plough Lane for the start of next season.

The League One club are yet to sign the main construction contract and need to make up a shortfall of £11million if they want to finish the stadium as planned, which would include 9,000 seats and conference and banqueting facilities.

They have until January to sign the contract and make that financial ­commitment but there are concerns the stadium will not be ready in time for the start of next season.

The Dons have sold their current Kingsmeadow ground to Chelsea and some supporters have raised concerns the club could be left temporarily homeless.

But those fears have been eased as it is understood Chelsea would be open to letting Wimbledon stay at Kingsmeadow on a temporary basis at the start of next season.

The Dons are currently sharing the stadium with Chelsea. The Premier League club want to make the venue the sole home of their women’s team and they have already paid for a new scoreboard and manage the pitch.

But if delays to construction meant Plough Lane was not ready in time, it is understood Chelsea would be open to welcoming Wimbledon back.

No discussions have yet taken place over the matter, but the news has eased concerns.

Wimbledon, however, are fully focused on being in Plough Lane for the start of next season, even if their new home is not totally finished. The club are determined to return to their spiritual home and there are no plans to shelve the project.

But finding a way to raise the money has caused a split in the Dons Trust, which owns 75 per cent of the club.

Standard Sport understands local businessmen are interested by the prospect of investing in Wimbledon to help their move back to Plough Lane, but such a situation would lead to the Trust relinquishing a large stake in their ownership.

The Trust are set to debate the matter at a special general meeting on December 9.

Building work at Plough Lane is ­currently pressing ahead, but contractors Buckingham need to have a decision by January from the Trust as to what sort of stadium they wish to build, with there being scope for them to build a smaller, 4,000-seat venue for an extra £2m, as opposed to £11m.

Such a venue would have just one main stand, which would be very basically fitted out, but it would mean that no outside investment was needed.

That solution is attractive to some members of the Trust, who are ­reluctant to let outsiders in, given the club’s history with previous owners — most notably Sam Hammam.

There are others, however, who argue that outside investment is needed to take Wimbledon to the next level as that could help finance the stadium and provide a competitive playing budget for the League One strugglers.