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Bolton's Championship match with Ipswich to go ahead after IT issues

BOLTON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 4:  A general view of a corner flag at the Reebok Stadium during the FA CupThird Round match between Bolton Wanderers and Blackpool at the Reebok Stadium on January 4, 2014 in Bolton, England. (Photo by Clint Hughes/Getty Images).
Image: Bolton have confirmed their match against Ipswich will take place

Bolton's Sky Bet Championship game with Ipswich will go ahead on Saturday after club IT problems were rectified.

The fixture was put into doubt on Friday for a second time after Bolton announced there was "a critical failure of the stadium's IT system".

However, in the early hours of Saturday morning, the club confirmed the clash at the University of Bolton Stadium would take place.

Bolton vs Ipswich preview
Bolton vs Ipswich preview

Bolton will look to put off-the-field problems to one side when they face Ipswich in a crucial clash for their survival hopes

"Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Saturday's Sky Bet Championship clash with Ipswich Town will go ahead," read a club statement.

"The problems affecting the club's IT systems have now been rectified and the match will take place as planned."

The game had previously been in doubt earlier in the week as well, after Wanderers had been placed under a prohibition notice by the region's safety advisory group (SAG) due to concerns over the safety of fans, but that particular threat was lifted on Thursday.

SAG, comprised of representatives of the local council, police and emergency services, lifted their notice after Bolton managed to "reassure" them over safety issues and the club were given the go-ahead to stage matches at the University of Bolton Stadium until the end of the season.

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Highlights of the Bolton's 2-1 win over QPR in the Sky Bet Championship

The club's home match against Millwall last month was placed in doubt due to safety concerns after staff, including stewards and turnstile operators, were not paid their February wages on time, but the game did go ahead.

Bolton are desperately seeking to complete a club takeover in time to fend off a winding-up petition over an unpaid tax bill.

A general view of Bolton Wanderers' Macron Stadium in 2018
Image: Bolton have been granted an extension by the High Court to enable the proposed sale of the club to go ahead

They were granted a further stay of execution by the High Court on Wednesday when controversial former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini was confirmed as the club's prospective buyer.

Bolton had been given two weeks to settle their debts at an initial hearing on March 20, but on Wednesday the case was adjourned again until May 8 to allow the proposed sale of the club to proceed.

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Bolton players arrive at training on Thursday morning despite uncertainty over their wages for March

This is the sixth time in the last 18 months that Bolton have faced a winding-up order, which could result in administration or liquidation. The latest one was issued in February by HMRC over debts of £1.2m.

The club's barrister Hilary Stonefrost told the court on Wednesday that Bassini, who attended the hearing, "had proof of funds".

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Bassini's controversial tenure at Vicarage Road lasted only 13 months. The 48-year-old has twice been declared bankrupt and was banned from holding a position of authority at an English Football League club for three years in 2013 for alleged financial misconduct while at Watford.

Bolton's players, meanwhile, have called upon the Professional Footballers' Association and the EFL to intervene over their unpaid wages for last month.

The squad has returned to training after refusing to do so while non-playing staff were waiting to be paid.

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