WANDERERS could potentially be lumbered with a year-long transfer embargo after failing to pay their players last month.

Phil Parkinson’s side once again go into tonight’s game against Middlesbrough unpaid – and unhappy players have now asked the PFA to intervene on their behalf.

But one of the hidden dangers of the most recent pay dispute is an EFL rule which states that clubs can only owe ‘football creditors’ for a total 30 days – a deadline which now appears to have passed.

The league has declined to comment on whether Wanderers will be punished with transfer restrictions, particularly as it could harm ongoing attempts to conclude a sale.

Officials have pointed towards the EFL’s articles of association, however, which confirm any club breaking the rules would “not be permitted to pay or commit to pay any transfer fee, compensation fee or loan fee or any other form of payment (other than a sell-on fee) in respect of the registration of any player” for a 12-month period.

Wanderers must try and put those issues aside tonight to reignite any semblance of hope in their survival bid, as they take on eighth-placed Middlesbrough.

Parkinson will give Gary O’Neil every chance of starting against his former club after the midfielder was substituted because of illness in defeat to Ipswich on Saturday.

“Gary saw a doctor this morning and we’re monitoring him,” said the Whites boss yesterday. “It was a shame he had to come off because he’s been one of our best players over the last few months but obviously he can only play if he’s right because a lot of his game is about energy.

“He’ll be eager to play but we’ll leave that until closer to kick-off.”