BOLTON Wanderers won a closed-door friendly against Bradford yesterday despite listing only seven permanent first team players on its website.

The financially troubled club, unable to make transfers until a takeover is finalised, fleshed out its squad with trial players including former Bradford striker Billy Clarke on the way to their 2-1 win.

It had a third official pre-season friendly cancelled by Oldham on Monday, originally scheduled for this Saturday, as Bolton players continue a strike over 20 weeks of unpaid wages.

A foodbank has been in place since May for staff while the club’s official website yesterday showed a total first team squad of just five outfield players.

The club is reportedly close to a takeover by preferred bidders Football Ventures Limited.

But the process took a farcical turn yesterday as former Watford chairman Laurence Bassini, already rejected as a bidder by administrators, pleaded his case for ownership in Bolton as he warned of liquidation “within days.”

He carried a loose stack of printed emails which he said contained evidence against former Wanderers owner Ken Anderson and administrators, as well as proof he has the funds to take over, and said he would ask for a “judicial review” into the process.

He also claimed he personally gave Wanderers money after the sale of former Watford forward Marvin Sordell, sold in 2012 for £3 million, as he thought the club were overcharged.

BBC Radio Manchester has reported that the Football Ventures takeover could be finalised by the end of the week.