GOALKEEPER Trevor Carson has thrown Bury into transfer “deadlock” after refusing to cut his ties with the club.

It is understood the 25-year-old stopper, who was recruited by Richie Barker from Sunderland last summer, was lined up for a move to League One Bradford earlier this month but the deal fell through.

After being relegated to the reserves and not picked for any of Bury’s opening three league and cup matches, it is clear he is now surplus to requirements.

Shakers boss Kevin Blackwell is thought to be eager to clear his sizeable wages from the budget, with three new defenders and former Burnley keeper Brian Jensen waiting in the wings once the Northern Ireland international departs.

“I expected a call from the club but as yet it hasn’t happened so it looks like we are in deadlock at the moment,” admitted Blackwell yesterday.

It is clear a deal could be in the offing still, but Blackwell will be unable to move for the “category A” players he has earmarked until Carson’s wages have been cleared.

Injury-hit Republic of Ireland midfielder Shane Byrne agreed to terminate his Shakers contract yesterday, leaving Carson one of only four players remaining at Gigg Lane from last season.

And he is thought to be the highest earner of those left from the ill-fated League One campaign.

“We have no cover at centre-back, left-back or right back, so there is definitely a lot of business we still need to do before the transfer window closes,” added Blackwell.

“We also only have two central midfielders to speak of, so we need to bring in at least two or three players to give us the right balance in the squad.”

Two defeats in the first two league games, the latest coming at Oxford United last Saturday, would suggest Blackwell is in need of reinforcements, but the Shakers boss is not panicking.

“I believe we should be going into Saturday’s match at home to Accrington Stanley sitting on top of the table,” he said.

“We should have six points in the bank after our first- half display against Chesterfield and our domination of the second half at Oxford.

“Both sets of chairmen admitted as much after both games, but I don’t want us to be told how unlucky we have been.

“The good thing is that I believe performances are the precursor to results, and we have played well enough in both games to suggest we will be ok.”