NOW the new rugby season is underway, Worcester Warriors must now contend with matters both on and off the pitch simultaneously.

Having managed to honour game one of the Gallagher Premiership last weekend at London Irish, attention now turns to the first home game of the season at Sixways.

The financial crisis is at breaking point and with reports and rumours swirling around about a potential buyer, what can supporters expect this week?

What news on a potential buyer?

The Worcester News understands that the club's owners Jason Whittingham and Colin Goldring are in negotiations with one potential investor and that positive news of that deal could be released at any time.

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Whittingham confirmed that to BBC Hereford and Worcester last week, which was played on air on Saturday afternoon, and specified that a positive update could be announced in the next 72 hours. We are now in those final hours.

In regards to that deal, The Times reported on Sunday that it was on the verge of collapse, but an internal email within the club immediately after it went live was sent to all staff, suggesting it was 'false' and that the club would be in a position to update staff on Monday.

How much time do Worcester have to find a solution to all of this?

On BT Sport Rugby Tonight, Premiership Rugby Chief Executive Simon Massie-Taylor expressed how little time Warriors have to find a buyer in order to survive.

He said the club has under a month to find a solution prior to the winding up petition, meaning they need to either pay their outstanding tax bill to the HMRC or find a new financial backer.

There is still the possibility the club could enter administration and there is word that could happen this week if a backer is not found.

Can the club stump up the cash for the visit of Exeter?

We know that money is extremely short. The debt the club sits in is substantial and the cost of a home game is one that is not cheap.

This Sunday sees Warriors take on Exeter Chiefs at Sixways and the overall cost of that is believed to be in the region of around £120,000, so can the club afford that?

Staff are still yet to receive their full salary for August and there have been no assurances of September pay being on time.

There is a meeting with all staff today to establish how and if the club will be able to stage the home game this weekend.

A member of staff at the club said to the Worcester News: "many staff are unsure about how many hours they can give to the club with little assurances over pay for both August and September".