Wardle pledges 'significant support'

John Wardle has dropped the clearest hint yet he may be prepared to stay on as Manchester City chairman.

Wardle has spent the past few months searching for a buyer for the 29% stake he owns in the Eastlands outfit with former business partner David Makin.

Wardle said: "It is important our supporters know whatever happens with regard to potential new investment, the board will support the manager."

Lifelong City fans, Wardle and Makin felt they had taken the Blues as far as they could after pumping £20million of their own money into the Premiership outfit.

However, as talks with an un-named American consortium drag on and opposition within the City hierarchy grows to Ray Ranson's 'indicative proposals', Wardle has begun work on generating the funds which will allow City to compete in the transfer market this summer.

Wardle added: "Funds were made available by the board for squad strengthening in the winter window, although we were unsuccessful in bringing in all the players we targeted. We will provide significant support again this summer."