WANDERERS’ players will report back to the training ground this morning to consider their next step in an unprecedented war of words with the club’s owner, Ken Anderson.

On Friday night, the whole squad announced via The Bolton News that they would not play in Saturday’s friendly against St Mirren because they had not been paid wages and bonuses due in June.

Anderson responded with a fierce condemnation of the strike, insisting he would not be “blackmailed or threatened” and warning he could take disciplinary action against those involved.

It is understood the players have sought the advice of the PFA. And of last night, Championship retention bonuses for those contracted to Wanderers last season remained unpaid. Other performance-related bonuses, for appearances and goals, were also outstanding, as we went to press.

The Football League have declined to comment on the situation.

Phil Parkinson takes his team to Atherton Colls tomorrow night and, at present, there has been no suggestion the fixture could be at risk.

It was hoped at the weekend the players had made their point to the club by withdrawing from Saturday’s game and that they could put the issue to bed as quickly as possible. But Anderson’s stinging riposte has not been well received – leaving Parkinson with a difficult task as he continues to build towards the Championship season in just 27 days.

The future of Ben Amos is also in considerable question, with the former Manchester United goalkeeper still to receive his salary for June.

Anderson said the player’s wage had not been paid because he had been talking to other clubs at the end of last month, adding: “This player is the club’s highest-paid player and costs the club in excess of £1million a year.”

The statement released by Wanderers’ players on Friday cited their support for players who had not been paid their wage – which at that point in time was both Amos and midfielder Chris Taylor.

Reports yesterday claimed Millwall and Ipswich Town could be willing to take the 28-year-old on loan this season.