Yorkshire County Cricket Club could know by tomorrow if Leeds City Council are prepared to stump up a multi-million pounds loan in order that they can then complete negotiations with their landlords to buy Headingley cricket ground.

The council's executive board will discuss the issue tomorrow at their meeting in the Civic Hall.

It was reported on November 3 that Yorkshire were close to pulling off a deal to buy Headingley after talks had stalled earlier in the year.

If the money is available then they will hope to bring discussions with the ground's owners - Leeds Cricket, Football and Athletic Company - to a swift conclusion in order to safeguard their 15-year agreement with the England and Wales Cricket Board to stage international matches at Headingley.

A condition of that agreement is that the ground is in Yorkshire's possession by December 31.

Time is, therefore, of the essence, and if Yorkshire receive the loan and also finalise a deal then a special general meeting of members will have to be called before the New Year in order to gain approval.

Warwickshire and Scotland all-rounder Douggie Brown has agreed a new two-year contract to keep him at Edgbaston until the end of the 2007 season.

Updated: 11:05 Tuesday, November 15, 2005