However, the identity of the likely new owners remains uncertain, 10 days after the anouncement that owner Keith Haslam and Doe Lea-born dentist Dr Colin Hancock had agreed a deal.

For it has emerged that a group of Mansfield-based businessmen remain in the race for the Stags.

This morning Dr Hancock, currently out of the country, denied rumours on a supporters group website that he had withdrawn his offer - and insisted that he was just waiting for the green light from Mr Haslam.

He told Chad: "It is mischievous and misguided to say that I have pulled out. I can understand and sympathise with the fans' frustration, but my position remains the same.

"I have placed funds at the disposal of the club . . . I have done all that I can do now."

It had been expected that Dr Hancock, chairman of Unibond club Glapwell, would complete his takeover at the beginning of the week and buy both the Stags and the Field Mill stadium.

But following a meeting on Monday between Dr Hancock, Mr Haslam and chief executive Stephen Booth - brokering the sale of the Stags - neither parties would make any comment at that time.

The sale delay prompted further speculation that the Stags owner was also considering a bid from a separate group, thought to be a consortium of Mansfield businessmen.

And rumours surfaced last night that Dr Hancock had withdrawn his bid after learning of the rival offer, but he quashed the suggestion and also told Chad: "I spoke to Stephen Booth on Thursday and he said that he had been in touch with Mr Haslam. Nothing has changed from my side."

Mr Booth declined to comment on the progress of the takeover, other than to reiterate that an official club statement would be made when the sale was complete.

When asked if this was likely to happen soon, he told Chad: "We are working hard to achieve this. The focus should be on the team, the players have returned to pre-season training and the fixtures have been announced."

The chief executive declined to comment further when questioned by Chad.

Chairman and Mansfield mayor Tony Egginton, like Dr Hancock currently out of the country, told Chad that he was unaware of the delay in the completion of the agreed Hancock takeover - a deal both he and Mr Booth have helped to put together.

He added: "We have to be positive. Like all the fans, I know that a deal needs to be concluded as quickly as possible so that the focus can be on regaining our Football League status. That is the number one priority."

Manager Paul Holland, still waiting to hear if he will be in charge next season and when he can bring in new players to strengthen his threadbare squad, told BBC Radio Nottingham that he, too, expected a quick resolution to the takeover saga.

Holland said the takeover was 'not a million miles away, it all seems very, very close'.

He added: "It is a very important deal . . . but somewhere along the line a decision has to be made. It is very frustrating, but I do see light at the end of the tunnel."