Derby County have been given a four-week stay of execution after the EFL agreed to extend the deadline for the club's administrators to show there are sufficient funds to complete the season.
The club and the administrators, Quantuma, issued a joint statement on Thursday. It came after intensive meetings between the administrators and the three parties interested in taking over the club, which have so far failed to identify a preferred bidder.
'Following a formal review of revised financial forecasts at Derby County, the EFL and Quantuma (the Club Administrators) have today agreed a month-long extension to the deadline set for proof of funding to be provided,' the statement said.
'The EFL Board had previously requested evidence by 1 February 2022 of how Derby County was to be financed whilst it remained in administration, alongside a financial plan that determined how the Club would fulfil its fixture commitments until the end of the current season.'
The EFL and Quantuma said the stay of execution would allow Derby to continue discussions with interested parties and provide 'additional time to seek clarity on the claims from Middlesbrough and Wycombe'.
The statement came after local politicians and officials demanded a meeting with the EFL and Quantuma following days of frustration and 'radio silence'.
Derbyshire MPs, led by Conservative Pauline Latham want to meet both parties on Friday.
The EFL and administrators have not said how the additional month will be funded, however, Derby has reduced its cost base with six players leaving during the January transfer window.
Sources close to the negotiations have told Sportsmail that the administrators have sought additional lending from MSD Capital, which has already lent the club £20M secured against the ground and a further sum to pay the bills since it went into administration in September.