Executive directors of Trinity, the regional newspaper group, are today expected to recommend their board to revive its bid for Mirror Group, the tabloid publisher.
Trinity suffered a setback last week when the British government said it would have to sell one of its flagship titles, the Belfast Telegraph, as a condition of being allowed to buy Mirror. The group considered abandoning its plans.
Before last week's ruling by Mr Stephen Byers, trade and industry secretary, Trinity had been working towards announcing a £1.3 billion sterling agreed take-over of Mirror. If approved by the board, the terms of a renewed bid are not expected to be materially different. Mr Philip Graf, Trinity's chief executive, is expected to argue at the board today that a sale of the Belfast Telegraph should not derail a take-over of Mirror. If the board backs him, talks with Mirror could restart immediately and a deal could be announced within days.
Analysts said last week the four titles could command a price of more than £200 million.
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