Luton Town's players are to receive two weeks' wages as a result of taking Liverpool to a replay at Anfield in the FA Cup third round, as the cash-strapped League One club wait to learn whether a consortium supported by three fans' groups will get the go-ahead to complete a takeover.

Town's players have not been paid in full since October 27, with administrators called in a month later.

A proportion of their wages were paid for December after confirmation that their tie against the Merseysiders at Kenilworth Road was to be televised, and the revenues guaranteed by next week's televised replay at Anfield have now allowed the administrator Brendan Guilfoyle further leeway.

. "We expect to receive around £400,000 from the replay so that'll allow us to pay wages to the players for the first two weeks in January," said Guilfoyle.

"As regards the takeover, several bids have been received and we hope to announce the preferred bidder within a week. They have shown us that they have the money but now we need them to open their wallets. We're hopeful we are close to a resolution."