The High Court case is expected to take place in January and, if local residents win, then a public inquiry will have to be held, putting Fulham's plans back by at least a year.
Fulham are still confident the hearing will go their way and expect the development to begin on time, with demolition work starting next summer.
They say they have bent over backwards to meet the residents' demands. But the process is certainly becoming protracted.
Fulham managing director Michael Fiddy said: "The stadium development is taking an awful lot of time.
"There's a huge team of people now working on the construction process and the details of the design. If the residents were to win against the Secretary of State, it could possibly cause us some problems. Having said that, we're confident that we've got a very good case."
Meanwhile, Fulham's Welsh international defender Alan Neilson was in talks today about a possible move to Grimsby.
He was given permission to play for Grimsby in a reserve game yesterday and hopes a deal can be negotiated by the weekend.
Grimsby manager Lenny Lawrence said: "We need a right-back and, with Alan on a month to month contract at Fulham, it means he is available immediately."
