Defender Curis Davies says Derby County can’t allow their off-the-pitch crisis to affect them when they face Nottingham Forest this weekend.
But he hit out at a “laughable” statement which was issued by the English Football League in response to the Rams’ predicament.
Steve Cooper’s Reds host their arch-rivals at the City Ground this weekend looking to make it back-to-back wins in the Championship.
While Forest are on the edge of the play-off places after a resurgence under Cooper, their bitter enemies are in a relegation battle and in the middle of a takeover saga.
The EFL addressed several points relating to Derby’s plight when they issued a statement on Monday night, including addressing whether they “have a vendetta” against the club.
The EFL also said they are committed to resolving “a complex legal position” that is threatening the Rams’ bid to find a buyer and exit administration.
Davies says Wayne Rooney’s side have to put all of that to one side as they prepare for the crunch East Midlands derby.
Asked about concerns over potential liquidation, he told talkSPORT: "Unfortunately, as serious as that is, we have to put it to the back of our minds.
"We've got a game this weekend, a big East Midlands derby against Nottingham Forest. We can't control that (off-the-pitch matters).
"We know that there are potential buyers for the club, and we've been told so. But the issue is everything else that's hanging over us with other football clubs making claims against us and things like that. It's difficult to get things over the line.
"For us, we just prepare for what we can do on the pitch. Then hopefully the administrators will manage to sort out a deal to get the club bought. Then we can crack on and rebuild the club.
"The EFL have come out and said they're going to help Derby in every way. I think that's laughable. But hopefully they'll keep to their word and try to help us get over the line with a takeover."
Derby went into administration last September and have been docked 21 points for breaching financial rules.
The club’s administrators are understood to be in talks with three potential buyers, but have been unable to name a preferred bidder due to the threat of legal action by Middlesbrough and Wycombe Wanderers.
