SAINTS chairman Leon Crouch insists he will keep working towards an EGM if no fresh investment comes into the club before next Friday.

But the club's largest individual shareholder, Michael Wilde, believes any further delay in changing the boardroom will be damaging to the club.

Crouch was in defiant mood as he addressed the press at the club's Staplewood training ground yesterday, flanked by chief executive Lee Hoos.

Both stand to be booted out of the club when Rupert Lowe and Wilde get their EGM on Friday, May 16.

Crouch is still hoping he can find a buyer for the club before then, with the Jonathon Fulthorpe, John Cousins and Dave Merrington consortium at the forefront of things.

The Daily Echo understands they are in daily contact with Fulthorpe and Cousins and gave them a target of this week to produce the money for their deal. But as yet, the club are still awaiting proof of funds - Fulthorpe and Cousins are still waiting to be told by the people with the funds that the money is there to go ahead and clinch a deal.

Crouch is tightly bound by PLC rules as to what he can say during an offer period.

But he confirmed the club is in talks, that he is NOT considering a handover date and is expecting an EGM if the investment doesn't come off.

He said: "We've been talking to various investors for several months now and hope that one of them will come forward and buy the club.

"I hope there is a buyer but there is no guarantee.

"If we don't get a buyer then we will carry on to the EGM."

Lowe and Wilde are certain to win any EGM as they are backed by 46 per cent of the club's shareholding.

Crouch, though, is believed to be hoping to buy enough time for the offer to come in by holding on, something which Wilde believes could be damaging.

"The simple fact of the matter is the season is now over, the result of the EGM is inevitable and any further delay at this stage is simply going to damage the preparations for next season," said Wilde.

"I feel sorry for the fans.

"The board are extending the process beyond what is necessary, making statements to the media and the delays are threatening our preparations for next season with contracts to be sorted out and a lot of work to be done.

"It needs to stop and it needs to stop now."

Full story in today's Daily Echo