JIM Little has revealed complications over Town's debts are a factor in the stalling of the County Ground takeover and admits the protracted deal is even causing him sleepless nights.

The Swindon Advertiser understands Town players' wages for September have been delayed, as dark financial clouds continue to hover over SN1, but chairman designate Little insists he still has full confidence the takeover will go ahead.

Sources close to the ongoing saga at the County Ground have revealed the Portuguese-led consortium are still desperate to take full control in Wiltshire but, as their lawyers continue to find holes in the terms of the deal, talks are still at a fragile stage.

It is believed Town's playing squad, who lost 2-1 at Swansea last night, will be paid in full today after meetings between the current and potential owners yesterday.

But with significant debts still outstanding, Best Holdings are wanting to be convinced there will be nothing else coming out of the woodwork once the deal is signed before completing the takeover, believed to be worth in the region of £6million.

Speaking before last night's 2-1 defeat by Swansea at the Liberty Stadium, Little admitted everyone is working tirelessly to try and find a solution.

He said: "It is killing us at the moment. Both sides are still going over tiny points at the moment and of course we are working every minute every day to try and resolve this because both parties want to put this to bed.

"It is just taking a longer time than any of us thought. It is keeping me up at night. We were in a meeting until after midnight last Wednesday and there were more meetings yesterday.

"I am confident we will be able to say something soon about the final completion though because both parties really want it done. Unless something dramatic happens we still believe it will happen.

"The debts the club have are an important thing to resolve.

"We want to make sure the company has a balance sheet when we take full control and by that we have to make sure the issues over the debts are resolved. It is far to say the debts are part and parcel of the delay."

A potential £1.2million owed to former backer Bill Power is believed to be part of the problem with the prospective new owners keen to make sure they are not hit with extra costs once the deal is done.