Mike Ashley, the Frasers Group chief executive and former Newcastle United owner, is back in the running to buy Derby County out of administration.
Preferred bidder Chris Kirchner has been left playing catch-up in his bid to buy the club after missing a 5pm Friday deadline, set by joint administrators Quantuma, to show he had the cash to complete a deal.
Meanwhile the English Football League has urged Derby’s administrators to prove the Rams – relegated to League One next season – can survive.
