Wayne Rooney has given a worrying update regarding Derby County's ongoing ownership situation.
This week marked five months since the Rams first entered administration. They remain on the lookout for new owners and the club's administrators Quantuma last week wrote to interested parties inviting them to submit formal bids ahead of Wednesday's deadline.
When asked directly if there was any progress on the takeover front on Friday, manager Rooney bluntly replied: "Nothing.
"I haven't spoken to the administrators since the game (versus Millwall), so I have had no updates.
"I don't know whether there is a bid or not, I don't know. Unfortunately I can't give you any update on that.
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"(But) It needs sorting out, and sorting out quick.
"I am sure the administrators are working on it and trying to get the right people in."
Rooney added that the longer the situation goes on unresolved, the harder it will become in the summer - regardless of what division Derby end up in.
A clutch of players are nearing the end of their contracts and with the club still under a transfer embargo, they are currently unable to offer extensions.
Rooney added: "If I am being honest, deadlines don't really mean anything to me and the players because there have been so many deadlines set.
"It just needs sorting out quick. We have got seven players' contracts up at the end of the season, so we have got no squad. You need to plan to bring players in and it is a very tough job at the minute."
Rooney's side travel to Luton Town on Saturday looking to gain ground in their unlikely bid to stave off relegation.
Derby were beaten 2-1 at home by Millwall in midweek - a result that further damaged their survival hopes especially combined with Reading's victory over Birmingham City.
The gap to safety is eight points ahead of the trip to Kenilworth Road but Rooney insists his side will continue fighting until the end.
"Obviously it’s another tough game away from home this weekend,” Rooney told RamsTV.
“We know the importance of this game; we know what Luton are going to bring and we will be ready for it.
“When you have a lot of games, like we have now, it’s all about your rest and recovery after matches and making sure you’re right for the one coming up.
“We are getting down to the last part of the season, so we have to pick up points away from home. We know it’s going to be a fight and battle and we need to make sure we do everything we can to come away with three points. Going away from home is always tough, we know that. We have to manage the crowd and manage the atmosphere.
“We need to make sure we focus on what we’re doing and outside influences such as the crowd don’t determine what we do.”
