Reading expect to be hit with a six-point deduction amid concerns they have breached an English Football League business plan.
The Royals were docked six points last term after failing to comply with financial rules, although they now appear destined to lose six points from this season's total after failing to cut their spending sufficiently in line with an agreement they reached with the EFL.
An independent panel will make a decision on the matter before referring the case to EFL chiefs who will then break the news to Reading.
A deduction would see the Berkshire outfit drop from 45 points to 39 points which would see them plunge from 18th to 21st in the table, going below Cardiff City - who have a game in hand - on goal difference.
And speaking at a press conference on Thursday ahead of his side's Championship clash with Bristol City at Ashton Gate this weekend, boss Paul Ince admitted "we aren't going to get away with it" when asked about the club's likely points deduction.
"It's going to be tough. If we'd looked at the start of the season, especially with the embargo and the players that have come in, we would have settled for safety," he said.
"I've always reiterated that - it's about staying in the league. We've done that really as players and staff, everyone. We've achieved 45 points and we're probably two points away from safety.
"So in our heads, we've done our jobs. And then all of a sudden, we get done six points and then you think we haven't done our jobs and we have to try and stay in the league.
"For players, it's devastating to be deducted points, especially so late in the season. It can go one of two ways. If we'd have got them at the start of the season, at least you've got time to get over it.
"It's just the timing for me. We've had four weeks and the international break but by the sounds of it, it's coming in the next 24 or 48 hours - it's going to be imminent - so the timing is not great with eight games to go.
"But it's coming... we aren't going to get away with it. We've got to pick the boys up and it's not easy when we have eight or nine first-team players out as it is."
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