Panthers face deadline for rider row decision (From Swindon Advertiser)

SWINDON ROBINS: Panthers face deadline for rider row decision

6:00am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport By Andy Warren

PETERBOROUGH have been set a deadline to declare which riders they intend to use in 2013 and make their remaining assets available to other clubs, the Advertiser understands.

Swindon remain keen to bring Panthers assets Hans Andersen and Troy Batchelor back to the club for 2013 while King’s Lynn want Niels-Kristian Iversen to fill their number one spot, but the Alwalton side have so far not given the clubs permission to talk to the trio and insist they will only let them leave on full transfers.

The Robins saw a transfer bid for Andersen rejected earlier this month, while the Panthers themselves have yet to declare a number one - with Dane Kenneth Bjerre hotly tipped to fill the role.

The BSPA management committee met in Rugby on Tuesday to try to resolve the winter-long disputes, but have so far yet to make any official ruling on the cases.

However, King’s Lynn claim they have been given the green light to discuss terms with Iversen following the meeting, after the Panthers’ appeal over a previous decision to allow the Dane to go on loan was rejected.

The Advertiser understands no official announcement from the BSPA is expected and that the committee has asked the Panthers to make the riders they don’t intend to use officially available in the near future, although the exact date is not known.

The Adver contacted Panthers co-owner Julie Mahoney yesterday, but she was not willing to comment on the situation.

Meanwhile, Robins asset Jason Doyle has joined Elite League rivals Birmingham for next season.