BULLS players are expected to return to training on Monday still not knowing if the crisis-hit club will survive.

The Telegraph & Argus understands that they have not yet been paid their wages for December as the turmoil rumbles on.

And it is likely to be Tuesday before the result of the latest takeover talks will be known.

Further discussions were held yesterday between a potential bidder, the RFL and administrator Gary Pettit.

And a statement released last night revealed that negotiations with this latest consortium have progressed to an "advanced level" with Pettit hopeful that these talks will come to "a positive conclusion very early next week."

He added: “I would again wish to thank the players and staff at the club for the professional way they have dealt with the uncertainty caused by the administration."

The governing body are also said to be “hopeful” that this last-ditch bid will be accepted.

The latest bid is believed to have surfaced earlier this week although the interested party have been monitoring the situation from the start.

They came in after the administrator rejected an offer from a consortium believed to have included former New Zealand Rugby League chairman Andrew Chalmers and former Kiwis and Wigan coach Graham Lowe.

The players have had a scheduled week off since Christmas but are due back at Tong on Monday – as the club head into an eighth week in administration.

They are set to play the first pre-season friendly against Matt Diskin’s Batley on Sunday, January 15.