Shares in Sports Direct have slumped more than 10 per cent after bosses were forced top delay publication of the company's highly-anticipated results due to complexities with its takeover of House of Fraser.

The company had been due to publish its results on Thursday but has now pushed back the date to between July 26 and August 23, due to numerous complexities in integrating the department store into the wider group, it admitted.

The announcement hit the companies share price, which was 26.4p down at 237p.

In a statement to the London Stock Exchange, Sports Direct said: “The reasons for the delay are the complexities of the integration into the company of the House of Fraser business, and the current uncertainty as to the future trading performance of this business, together with the increased regulatory scrutiny of auditors and audits.

“These factors have led to a need for the company to compile more information than in previous years for the audit of period ended 28 April 2019, and has therefore impacted on preparations for and responses to increased challenges in connection with this audit.

“Sports Direct would also note that increased regulatory scrutiny is leading to longer lead times generally for the completion of audits.

“Sports Direct believes its accounts and their audit to be at an advanced stage. However, there are a number of key areas to conclude on which could materially affect the guidance given in Sports Direct's announcement of 13 December 2018.”

Sports Direct snapped up House of Fraser for £90 million through a pre-pack administration process almost a year ago.

Its takeover saw a reprieve for several stores and their staff that had been earmarked for closure before the high street retail stalwart slumped into administration.

The House of Fraser store in Carlisle, which employs around 150 people, was among those spared the axe.

Sports Direct beat Cumbrian retail tycoon and billionaire owner of Edinburgh Woollen Mill Group, Philip Day, in the race to buy House of Fraser.

Although Mr Day's proposal was understood to have been £10m more, included the retailer’s pension scheme and would have avoided administration, accountancy giant EY, which oversaw the sale, opted for Sports Direct’s offer.

While Mr Day congratulated Sports Direct owner Mike Ashley, he also called on him to do the “honourable” thing by paying House of Fraser’s suppliers and concessionaires in full and on time following months of uncertainty over its future.

The takeover has been part of a significant spending spree by Mr Ashley, who has also bought Evans Cycles and sofa.com.

And he looks set to complete the takeover of GAME Digital, with Sports Direct revealing on Monday that it now controls almost 84 per cent of the video games retailer.

It urged remaining shareholders to sell up as it targets the 90 per cent target which would allow it to automatically buy the remaining stock.

Sports Direct bosses have also applied to have the GAME Digital shares delisted from the London Stock Exchange no later than August 12.