Forest Green Rovers have officially opened legal proceedings against Bolton Wanderers over their handling of Christian Doidge in the January transfer window, report the Bolton News.

Doidge made the move to Wanderers back in the summer on an initial loan but with a view to making the deal permanent, but the Lancashire club pulled out of the deal when it became apparent they would not be able to afford the fee.

Rovers chairman Dale Vince is claiming a six-figure fee, saying that the club continued to pay Doidge’s wages during his time with Phil Parkinson’s side.

The 25-year-old has bagged five times in 13 appearances since returning to the promotion chasing League Two club.

It is the latest in a long line of off-field issues that have badly hampered Bolton’s season so far.

They are due in court tomorrow to face a winding up petition that could lead to a 12 point deduction and even liquidation.

The verdict

It almost seems harsh from Forest Green, but at the end of the day they have every right to launch legal action if they see fit.

And it is hard to argue with it.

There was an agreement in place for Bolton to take Doidge permanently in January and they pulled out, leaving Rovers worse off.