Dundee's clash with Stirling Albion on Saturday has been thrown into chaos - because the management and players won't know until just 24 hours before kick-off if they have jobs or not.
The club is set for a second period of administration after building up huge monthly losses and had expected accountant Bryan Jackson to announce redundancies after taking charge today.
But decisions will be delayed until tomorrow, meaning boss Gordon Chisholm - or an interim manager - must piece together a team at short notice from the players Jackson does not fire.
The Dens outfit have been waiting for £200,000 from director Calum Melville, which is earmarked to fund cash flow.
Melville claimed to have wired the money to a solicitor's bank account last week and yesterday chief executive Harry MacLean insisted it had been sent but maintains legal wrangles have delayed the process.
He said: "There were conditions on the money which have now been removed. We will probably start the administration process on Thursday."
Chisholm and assistant Billy Dodds have offered to take sizeable wage cuts but there is major doubt about their futures.
Jackson is understood to be ready to release about 10 players, leaving Dundee with a threadbare squad which will be fleshed out with youth team members.
Chisholm gave his men the day off yesterday but will return to work today and insists all the players will continue to do their jobs.
He said: "Billy and I will be ready to train the players ahead of the Stirling Albion game as normal.
"We all have this hanging over us and don't know what the future holds but all we can do is remain professional.
"It's a difficult time for everyone but we'll continue to do our jobs and work hard for the club until told otherwise."