The FA may yet take action against Chris Morgan, the Sheffield United defender, whose challenge last Saturday on Iain Hume left the Barnsley striker with a fractured skull. Barnsley have sent video footage of the incident to the FA in an attempt to persuade it that the yellow card given to Morgan during the match by Andy D'Urso, the referee, was insufficient.

Definitely in the FA's sights, however, is Simon Davey, the Barnsley manager, for a separate incident in the same game. He was charged with improper conduct last night after being sent to the stands for his behaviour towards an assistant referee after a penalty was awarded to United late in the second half. United won 2-1.

The governing body can act even if a referee has given out a card if it considers there are exceptional circumstances. In 2006, Ben Thatcher was booked for elbowing Pedro Mendes when Manchester City played Portsmouth but was subsequently handed an eight-match ban.

Morgan, 31, a former Barnsley player, has amassed 12 red cards and 62 yellows during his career and made headlines in January 2007 when the FA charged him with violent conduct for striking Robin van Persie, the Arsenal forward, during a game.

Barnsley officials, lawyers and Hume's representatives will meet on Monday to decide whether to start legal proceedings against Sheffield United, Morgan or both. Hume is expected to be sidelined for at least six months.

“In general, clubs and players are realistic. If there's a very serious injury they will sue; if it's an injury from which the player recovers quickly, they tend to accept that as part and parcel of the game,” John Smith, a sports law expert at Davies Arnold Cooper, said. “If a player doesn't recover, it can develop into a sizeable claim. If a player is suing, he would have to prove that the opponent either intended to injure him or was negligent.” A claim could take two years to reach court.