BOLTON Wanderers had to act quickly today to scotch rumours that the club is close to bankruptcy.

Officials have been shocked by reports appearing on the internet and on a premium rate phone line suggesting Burnden Leisure, the football club's parent company, was about to go into receivership.

The BEN was inundated with calls from supporters, many from the continent, expressing horror at the reports.

But, as Colin Todd and his players prepared for tonight's Worthington Cup clash with Gillingham, Wanderers' chairman Gordon Hargreaves, who is also chief executive of the plc, eased fears that financial problems had reached breaking point.

Constraints

"It's absolute nonsense to talk in those terms," he said. "It is just not true."

That was also put into perspective by the news that the club is ready to offload Burnden Park for £6.75million.

It has been no secret that Wanderers have serious financial problems. Failure to regain a place in the Premiership has brought strict constraints with high costs and low income biting hard.

Todd lost the services of former skipper Scott Sellars in the close season because the club could not satisfy his financial demands and he has been unable to strengthen his squad in any way, shape or form.

The manager has been told he cannot sign players - even on free transfers - until his current playing staff is trimmed. But, while high profile players such as Per Frandsen, Mark Fish and Robbie Elliott are effectively up for sale, there have been no takers.

Todd cannot even sign players on loan.

But he insisted today that balance sheet problems should not affect the team's performance.

"I've never even mentioned it to the players," he said. "The main priority for myself and the team is football. That's what we get paid for.

"Whatever is going on at the football club, they need to concentrate on just one thing - doing their best."

Todd will ring the changes tonight as Wanderers go into the home leg of the second round cup tie 4-1 up after an emphatic win at the Priestfield Stadium a week ago.

Paul Warhurst, Hasney Aljofree, Greg Strong, Jimmy Phillips, Bo Hansen and Dean Holdsworth could all get starts as the manager takes the opportunity to rest certain regulars. He will also look at an alternative defensive formation in view of Andy Todd and Mike Whitlow being suspended for Saturday's Division One game at home to Nottingham Forest.

"I want them to forget about the first leg and treat it as though it's only 0-0," he added. "There are opportunities there for those who come in. They've got to do their jobs correctly."

Midfielder Claus Jensen, missing for four games, is making progress in his fight to shake off a back problem. He could come into the reckoning for the Forest game but will not be rushed.

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