BRENDAN Guilfoyle believes the sale of Crystal Palace has taken a significant step forward after a successful meeting with the administrators in control of Selhurst Park yesterday.

The complicated issue of ownership of the ground has been the main stumbling block in attracting potential buyers since Guilfoyle was appointed to run the club on behalf of the P & A Partnership.

It was feared that any interested parties would be out off if the option of buying the freehold of Selhurst Park was not part of any package.

However, Guilfoyle met with Laurie Manson of Pricewaterhouse Coopers to discuss the best way forward for both parties and is now feeling much more confident of a successful outcome.

"It was an excellent, constructive meeting," he said. "I am confident that their preferred route is now to sell the ground, which is what we want.

"They are getting it valued in the next few days. The ideal situation for us now is to find the buyer, they can then settle with the creditors and then talk to PWC about the ground."

Guilfoyle was also optimistic that while the club were still leasing the ground from PWC a more reasonable rent can be agreed on.

"We are hoping to fix a commercial rent on the ground rather than the inflated one that is currently in place," he added.

For all the latest Palace news see Friday's Croydon Advertiser.