Under-threat SPL side Gretna's position has "deteriorated" in the last 24 hours, with all players now free to leave the club.The administrator in charge of solving their problems has admitted they are unlikely to be able to field a team against Aberdeen on Saturday.

The club were warned they must raise £30,000 by lunchtime on Thursday or they will be closed down and although that has not yet happened, David Elliot said the situation was getting worse.

"The position has not improved from yesterday, it has deteriorated and I am not convinced we will be able to put a team out on Saturday," said Elliot, of administrators Wilson Field.

"That would mean we are breach of league rules and would leave us open to be fined and face other penalties.

"Unfortunately we are running out of time."

Elliot revealed he had spoken to officials at Aberdeen - Gretna's opponents on Saturday - and Motherwell - currently providing them with a groundshare arrangement - and a number of other clubs but had not yet had chance to speak to the league about a possible postponement.

Discussions with members of Gretna's squad had been positive but Elliot warned that as the club was in breach of contract having not paid them, the players were free to look elsewhere for employment.

"Motherwell have been very helpful and have offered a compromise on the amount the club have to pay them in each home game in an effort to get the club through," Elliot added.

"My thanks also go out to the other clubs that are to wishing to help and I very much want to play the fixture on Saturday, but I still don't have the funds and the players have still not been paid.

"There is a willingness on the part of all parties to continue but it should be remembered each player is now facing a situation where their contract has been breached. They should be paid and they haven't been.

"The players will need to consider their own positions. There is, until March 27, the opportunity to move to another club if they wished.

"I can't stand in their way - morally, ethically or legally.

"I have had a meeting with the players. They are considering their positions and I was impressed by the loyalty and the way in which they are wanting to keep the football playing.

"But we have a lack of players in certain positions and I believe it may well be necessary to seek permission to postpone the match on Saturday.

"I am not giving up. I will try again tomorrow to get the team sorted out but as of today I do not have a team that we can put out on Saturday."

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