The off-the-field issues surrounding Bolton Wanderers don't seem to be going away anytime soon, with Laurence Bassini's takeover seemingly on the verge of collapsing. 

It would cap off a miserable season for everyone associated with the club, with the Trotters being relegated back into League One in recent weeks.

In an exclusive interview with Football League World, Dean Ashton issued his thoughts on the issues currently at the club heading into the summer.

"Sadly, it's turned into a bit of a joke. That's certainly not where you want to get to where you've got one side saying one thing and another side saying another and the EFL sort of in between trying to help things along.

"It's so easy to still forget that players and staff and the worries that come with working for a football club, the issues still haven't been resolved."

But the former West Ham forward was quick to acknowledge the seriousness of the matter at the club, and felt that their off-the-field troubles should have been dealt with behind closed doors.

"From the outside, we look at it as a bit of a joke, and people might laugh about it but it's a very serious situation for Bolton and their supporters.

"I think it's something that should have been done behind closed doors and should have ideally been done a lot quicker because it's becoming a bit of a laughing stock."

An interesting, and potentially defining moment of Bolton's future awaits them in the summer, that's for sure.