RAJ SINGH remains on track to take over Hartlepool United, even if the attempts to get things tied up in time for new players to be brought in to boost the fight for survival have been unsuccessful.

Despite the two legal teams involved in overseeing the change of ownership at Victoria Park working through the night and throughout the day, the finer details of the time-consuming process have not been completed in time.

The auditors have been at Hartlepool to help with the change of ownership by compiling the extensive document required to complete and it is understood Singh and the club’s chief benefactor John Blackledge are waiting for confirmation of completion.

That remains likely before the weekend, given the huge progress that has been made in the last 48 hours, and with no game pencilled in for this weekend then Singh should be in control before Tuesday’s visit of Bromley to the North-East.

The work will continue at pace behind-the-scenes despite knowing the wish to have things tied up before Thursday’s 5pm transfer deadline for the National League was not granted.

Hitting that deadline, which was always a fanciful target given the workload involved for the legal teams, would have enabled the new owners to target players from other clubs, be it on loan or otherwise.

The National League has to carry out its own checks too before Singh’s consortium, which only includes Sky Sports presenter Jeff Stelling at this stage, can officially assume control.

Former Hartlepool manager Craig Hignett, the ex-Middlesbrough player, is expected to be installed as the new director of football once things are finalised.

And Hignett had his first targets in mind had the 5pm deadline been hit. Instead, though, he will be looking for caretaker Matthew Bates to keep up the good work with the small squad he has at his disposal.

Hartlepool climbed three points clear of the relegation zone by defeating Barrow on Tuesday night in front of the TV cameras and that victory arrived under two hard-earned draws under Bates.

Hignett will still be considering options on the signing front if there are any free agents available at this stage who might be able to make a difference.

The transfer embargo hanging over Victoria Park will still have to be lifted first, though, when the National League has proof of a better financial state.

Hartlepool’s current owners, Sage Investments owned by Blackledge, have also this week been working on ways to pay the existing staff’s wages that have to be secured by close of play today, and Hartlepool Borough Council has agreed to the club's request to help pay the salary bill.

Pam Duxbury, Pool's chief executive, said: “Negotiations are continuing to secure a new owner for the football club. In the short term we have approached Hartlepool Borough Council to provide a temporary loan towards the cost of March’s salary bill.”

Councillor Christopher Akers-Belcher, the leader of Hartlepool Borough Council, said: “This is the second time in four months Hartlepool United Football Club has asked for temporary financial support from the council. The first time was in December 2017 when the Council agreed a temporary loan and this was fully repaid by the end of January 2018, as agreed.

“Working alongside senior Council officers, Councillor Ray Martin-Wells and I have carefully considered the latest request from Hartlepool United to provide a temporary loan of £77,500. This amount will be repaid from transfer fees due to Hartlepool United from the sale of former players. The majority of this amount (£72,500) will be repaid by September 1 2018."