UP to four separate bids are expected to be received to take Stockport County out of administration before the deadline passes.

A consortium of local businesses, along with Stockport County Supporters Trust, have already lodged their bid with administrators Leonard Curtis.

If successful the Trust, who took over the club from Brian Kennedy's Cheshire Sports, would retain 10 per cent ownership and have a place on the new board.

Former chairman Brendan Elwood, who sold the club to Kennedy, and ex-vice-president Lord Snape are involved in another group keen to take over the cash-strapped club.

Ex-City player Jim Melrose is believed to be a part of a third bid while former chief executive Mark Maguire is also hopeful of returning to the club he resigned from in February.

County were placed in administration at the end of last month following a petition by creditor David Farms, who were owed £300,000.

Since then they have made manager Jim Gannon and his assistant Peter Ward redundant along with the majority of the backroom staff.

Last week, administrators agreed to sell Tommy Rowe to Peterborough for a fee believed to be £100,000 followed by another £100,000 in instalments.

Midfielder Leon McSweeney was another departure this time to Hartlepool, while Josh Thompson and Oli Johnson went on trial to West Brom.