The chancellor is coming under increasing pressure from opposition parties to explain the government's stance on the sale of Northern Rock.
Alistair Darling is reportedly working on plans which would allow the £25 billion lifeline provided to Northern Rock by the Bank of England to be extended to any buyer which takes over the beleaguered lender.
Northern Rock first turned to the central bank for an emergency loan in September, in the wake of this summer's global credit crunch.
The move prompted the first run on a British bank in almost 150 years, forcing the government to guarantee the savings of Northern Rock customers in order to restore confidence in the UK banking system.
Reports claim the chancellor's advisers are now in talks with Brussels officials over how the emergency loan from the Bank of England could be continued, with European Union rules on state aid currently barring Northern Rock from receiving state-backed rescue aid for longer than six months.
It has been suggested the status of the funding could be changed to 'restructuring aid', amid speculation a firm offer for Northern Rock is unlikely to be forthcoming unless the Treasury confirms the assistance will be available to any buyer beyond February.
A deadline for those interested in Northern Rock passed last Friday, with a consortium led by Sir Richard Branson's Virgin group and an investment group headed by the former boss of Abbey among those thought to be vying to take control of the lender.
It is understood the chancellor will now outline a "statement of principles" to MPs, which will determine the government's approach to developments concerning the future of Northern Rock.
Following the resignation of Northern Rock chief executive Adam Applegarth at the end of last week, shadow chancellor George Osborne claimed pressure had increased on Mr Darling to ensure the interests of the taxpayer were protected.
Meanwhile the Liberal Democrats have suggested the government should temporarily assume control of Northern Rock in order to safeguard public cash.
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