BURY manager Kevin Blackwell has accused Grimsby Town of being "shoddy" and "underhand" in their efforts to keep hold of Marcus Marshall.
Earlier this week, the Shakers recalled the winger from his season-long loan with the Mariners after accepting a bid for his services from Luton Town.
However, Blackwell has now revealed that they are currently in dispute with the Football League over a 24-hour recall clause that was inserted into the winger's loan contract when he linked up with Town.
In a fiery interview with his club's official website, Blackwell criticised League officials who have ruled that the clause is not permitted under its rules.
Therefore, the League One strugglers are unable to recall Marshall from his stay in Cleethorpes, meaning the 23-year-old could be set for a Blundell Park return.
He said: "We don't know what's happening with Marcus Marshall at the moment. There is a disagreement between ourselves and the Football League over the registration of Marcus.
"The Football League have said that there was a 24-hour recall clause in his loan contract to Grimsby that shouldn't have been in there, but it's news to me.
"They're saying he may not be able to come back and play for Bury, so we're trying to get that clarified."
Blackwell was scathing of the Mariners' role in the transfer wrangle.
He continued: "I'm very angry about the situation and the way Grimsby have conducted themselves – they've been very shoddy about things.
"He's our player and I've got Grimsby Town Football Club deciding who, where and what is going on.
"It's the underhand nature with which they've done it.
"When we called him back, everyone accepted it.
"But then Grimsby find out that it's Luton Town who have put the bid in and then decide they want to fight it.
"I believe they've had a bit of a spat with Luton and they've done everything they could to make sure the kid didn't go there.
"But football is a small world and what goes around comes around."
Meanwhile, Town joint boss Paul Hurst, remains hopeful of seeing Marshall in a black and white shirt soon.
He refused to rule out a return for the wide man and even hinted that he could be involved in tomorrow's clash at Cambridge United.
He said: "I can tell you he won't be going to Luton, but beyond that, there's not a lot to say on the matter at this moment in time.
"We'd like Marcus back. Things are going off in the background and you always have to be hopeful.
"It would be a huge boost if we had him in for the weekend. He's had a big impact on the club since joining and made an important contribution.
"The last two or three games that we played, he was arguably our best player and I think he's really grown in confidence while he's been here.
"I think he's disappointed that he wasn't able to play on Tuesday because of what's happening and he wants to be with us.
"It works for us and it works for Marcus and hopefully he will be back in a Grimsby Town shirt soon."
Meanwhile, Blackwell continued his rant at the powers-that-be.
"The ineptitude of the FA and their registration rules have allowed a situation to arise that shouldn't have ever been allowed to arise," he continued.
"When stuff comes in you're supposed to check it, aren't you? And they haven't done that.
"No-one said anything when it went through, otherwise I wouldn't have let the lad go because I know that we are short on numbers and later on in the season, we might have needed him.
"I put the clause in to ensure that our club is covered.
"And now they're telling me that I might not be able to get him back."
