Sheffield Wednesday fans' group Wednesdayite are sure takeover talks with a consortium headed by Geoff Sheard are nearing completion.

Wednesdayite and the Sheffield Wednesday Shareholders Association held talks with Lancashire-based businessman Sheard on Monday and remain confident a takeover is on the horizon despite lengthy delays.

Wednesdayite chairman Darryl Keys said: "I strongly believe there will be a change of control.

"I'll be very surprised if negotiations are not resolved fairly quickly."

Keys said a second, UK-based, consortium is also in talks with the club after expressing its interest in a possible takeover.

He added: "We have continued to be in regular contact with both consortia, talking to both parties several times a week.

"Discussions are very constructive and as a fans' group we're grateful to have been kept informed - we're not used to that at Sheffield Wednesday."

Wednesday's board informed the Stock Exchange on February 29 that they had received an approach from a consortium which could potentially lead to a takeover.

Russian billionaire Vladimir Yevtushenkov has since been reported to be the financial muscle behind Sheard.

Keys said: "We've made it very clear we do not prefer either consortium.

"But we will encourage anyone to pursue their interest in Sheffield Wednesday and that is what we have done and will continue to do.

"It's been very complicated because only 10% of the club's shares are owned by directors who are still on the board."

Former chairman Dave Allen quit in November and long-serving director Keith Addy departed the club in January, leaving only one share-holding director, Geoff Hulley on the board.

Wednesdayite hold a 10% stake in the club and the Shareholders Association own 12% of the shares.

Keys added: "It's gone on longer than anyone had wanted, but it's fair to say that neither consortia has indicated if we go down they will pull out.

"They have assured all parties that relegation would not affect their interest."

The Owls are £27 million in debt and have struggled financially since being relegated from the Premier League in 2000.

They currently lie third from bottom in the Championship and have just two games - at Leicester and at home against Norwich - to avoid sliding into the third tier of English football for a second time in five years.

Team Talk / Eurosport