Wanderers could be facing a race against time to have their new stadium ready for next season's big kick off.

The Premier League and Football League are considering bringing forward the start of the 97-98 programmes - and that could mean the new 25,000 all-seater showpiece stadium at Horwich may not be fully operational in time.

Wanderers were already working to a tight schedule to be ready for the planned August 16 start and they admit they could have problems if the season is brought forward - whichever division they are in.

The two English leagues are aiming for an early start because their already crowded seasons have been cramped by a busy international programme. The Premier League say they are looking at an August 2 start date while the Nationwide League favour an August 9 kick off.

Wanderers chief executive Des McBain confirmed: "We are aware of the situation and we've spoken to both leagues and informed them of our situation. "We're not unduly worried at the moment but it could cause us a problem because we are working to a very tight timescale on the basis that the season starts on August 16.

"We'll be looking closer at the situation in the new year once the leagues have made their decisions."

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