BOLTON Wanderers are facing a critical few days in their future.

The Sky Bet Championship strugglers, who stand between Eastleigh and a place in the FA Cup fourth round, could be plunged into administration if they cannot find a buyer soon.

In seven days' time Wanderers face a winding-up hearing from HM Revenue and Customs.

It is understood they owe over £2million and are desperately trying to raise short-term funds before that date.

They have accepted a bid from Sheffield Wednesday for their longest-serving player Mark Davies as well as Bristol City's offer for their young forward Zach Clough, although neither deal has gone through yet.

The four-time FA Cup winners are bracing themselves for the possibility of administration and the 12-point hit it brings unless a takeover can be completed in the coming days.

That would almost certainly consign Bolton, currently propping up the second tier with 17 points, to League One just four years after they were playing in the top flight.

Financial advisor Trevor Birch remains in discussions with interested parties to take the club off owner Eddie Davies and talks took place in London on Sunday. But, with time running out, administration could soon be on the cards.

"It's always a possibility," admitted manager Neil Lennon, whose side clawed back from behind at the Silverlake on Saturday to earn an FA Cup third round replay against non-League Eastleigh next week.

"We're hoping if we get the capital in from the two players' sale that might tide us over for Monday," added Lennon.

"We're still optimistic that something could get done. The last thing we want is to be in administration, that's for sure."

Lennon is once again preparing for tomorrow's (Tuesday's) trip to Sheffield Wednesday as if Davies and Clough are unavailable to him.

The latter, 20, has been with Bolton since the age of eight and has scored nine goals since making his debut against Wigan in the third round of last year's FA Cup, despite two lengthy injury lay-offs. But he may have to be flogged to safeguard the future of the club.

"It's torn him a little bit," Lennon admitted.

"I know he was down speaking to Bristol City - or his representatives were, but I've had no confirmation that anything's going to get done yet or a decision's been made.

"He was one of the bright sparks over the past year - he's been our best player. He's our prized asset.

"Obviously we don't want to lose him but circumstances dictate that we probably have to. It's for the good of the club in the long term.

"He's a great little player, his heart's here at the club, but it's going to be a footballing business decision at the end of the day."