英语翻译

英语翻译
A tentative deal was in the works that could result in his release on bail as early as Thursday,a source close to the defense told CNN.这是今天CNN的新闻中的一句话,我这句话看不明白,as early as Thursday,a source close to the defense told CNN,如何翻译,我知道source close 是知情人士的意思,