BULLS players and staff do not know if they will get paid as last-ditch talks continue to save the club.

The December wage bill is due today but there are no guarantees while negotiations with the administrators and the RFL go on.

It is understood that the preferred bid that was on the table, and one that the RFL thought could take the club forward, was rejected yesterday by administrator Gary Pettit.

The consortium who had made that offer were thought to include former New Zealand RL chairman Andrew Chalmers and former Kiwi and Wigan coach Graham Lowe.

But the T&A understands that a fresh bid came forward which is now under consideration. Talks with this latest bidder, who is thought to have been monitoring the process from the start, will resume today.

The RFL have indicated that they have not imposed an official deadline as long as any deal is done in time for the start of the season. The Bulls are scheduled to play their opening Championship game at Hull KR on February 5.

But the administrator is unlikely to allow this scenario to go on much longer if an agreement cannot be reached.

It was hoped that a progress statement would be issued yesterday but that did not happen, leaving staff and supporters in the dark about the club’s precarious position.

Head coach Rohan Smith has praised the loyalty of the fans and urged them to stay patient with a message on twitter.

Smith said: “You have come this far. Be patient, the right result is what the club needs.”

But there has been criticism about the lack of information from the administrator.

Former Cronulla Sharks supremo Damian Irvine, who is believed to have been involved with one of the bids, yesterday tweeted: “All parties have NDAs (non-disclosure agreements) and no one bar Pettit knows all parties bidding. Players and staff deserve contact.”