NEIL Lennon believes the Bolton Wanderers takeover race may have boiled down to “first past the post.”

The Whites boss bore good news at his weekly press conference this morning, suggesting that an end is now in sight in the ownership battle at the Macron Stadium.

Wanderers could go into voluntary administration by this time next week if a buyer is not found – but after intense discussions in the last 48 hours, it is understood that significant progress has now been made.

“I think we are starting to see some shoots of recovery,” Lennon told The Bolton News. “Having spoken to Trevor Birch there are three or four interested parties, negotiations are ongoing and it could be a case of first past the post. Who can put the money up first.

“He is a lot more confident now than things maybe looked a few days ago.”

Lennon admits the pressure of the last few days has taken its toll.

The manager met with players, representatives from the PFA and new financial advisor Trevor Birch on Tuesday morning to discuss why football staff had not been paid in November.

No guarantees were given as to when that situation will rectify itself, and PFA chief executive Gordon Taylor admitted that administration was now a worst case scenario being examined.

But Lennon was able to put a slightly more positive light on things at the stadium today, with the hope being a deal will be a lot nearer completion by the time his side face Cardiff City on Saturday.

“The players and staff have had a tough few days – it’s the uncertainty and the unknown,” Lennon said.

“I have been kept up to date, as much as he can tell me. There is a lot of to and fro and these things do take time.

“He feels a lot more confident in the last 24 hours that something can be done by next week.”