A happy ending looks on the cards for crisis-hit Isle of Wight club Newport.

The Southampton-based receivers, BDO Stoy Hayward, are expected to break positive news about the club's future next week.

Newport's director of football Tony Mount said: "Having spoken to the receivers, all I can reveal is that they're speaking to a number of interested parties.

"They anticipate that by the end of next week they will be able to confirm who has come forward to secure the future of the club.

"I believe the signs are positive."

Rumour is sweeping the Island that Port's training pitch is set to be sold at the second time of asking.

It was the collapse of the deal with IoW developers SA Payne that prompted chairman and majority shareholder Bill Manuel to call the receivers in a fortnight ago.

One theory is that the council want the land to provide access to a large housing development to be built at the back of Newport's St George's Park home.

If the training area is sold, it will raise a reported £700,000, giving Mr Manuel the financial wherewithal to remain at the helm of the Dr Martens Eastern Division outfit. The Portsmouth-based businessman has bankrolled the club to the tune of £1.2 million over the last five years.