Wanderers move for Peter Beardsley hinges on Newcastle manager Kenny Dalglish.
Colin Todd was expecting to hear from the player today but his decision seems certain to be determined by what Dalglish can offer the former England man next season.
Beardsley has one year of his contract remaining and a promise from Kevin Keegan of a testimonial at the end of it.
Yet whether Dalglish will go along with that arrangement remains to be seen and that could be the deciding factor.
Beardsley then has to decide which offer to take up.
Todd has been encouraged by Beardsley's desire to remain foremost as a player which led him to reject Stoke's bid to take him as player-manager.
Sunday newspaper speculation has linked him with West Ham but sources in the North East suggest that he would not want to move to London. One thing seems certain, if Dalglish can give the player any assurances of first team football and the chance of a testimonial then Beardsley will certainly stay at St James' Park.
It's up to you, Kenny!
Meanwhile the builders will still be in but Wanderers are determined to get a good feel of the new pitch at the Reebok Stadium before their September 1 curtain call.
Todd is aiming to give his players at least a week of intensive practice on the carefully-constructed turf.
"It's paramount we get on the park for a good few days before the Everton game," the manager confirmed. "Adjusting to the new pitch will be an important part of our preparation for the season."
The race against time to have the magnificent new £35 million stadium ready means Wanderers must play their first three Premiership fixtures away from home.
But Todd is confident that the trips to Southampton, Coventry and Barnsley offer the prospect of an early points boost.
"We are capable of coming away from those games with wins or draws," he says. READING have dismissed weekend speculation that Bury boss Stan Ternent is one of the favourites to become their new manager.
Ternent was one of several names linked with the job along with ex-Southampton manager Dave Merrington and Portsmouth striker Paul Walsh.
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