BLACKBURN Hawks have been embroiled in a transfer wrangle over the departures of Myles Dacres and Bobby Streetly.

Hawks faced Sutton Sting on Saturday and their opponents announced before the game that they had signed Dacres and Streetly.

The duo had been benched by the Hawks a week earlier and decided that they wanted to join Sutton.

“Sutton are an ambitious club and we’re happy to be a part of it,” Streetly said.

“Personally I’d like to thank Blackburn for what they’ve done for me over the last two years, but it’s time to go and I’m ready for the challenge ahead.”

Sutton coach Ian Johnson added: “I’m delighted to have them on board.”

But Hawks responded by releasing a statement insisting they had not given permission for the transfer to go through – with the two sides due to face each other a day later.

The statement said: “Both players approached team management this week requesting a release.

“However, as the necessary protocol for such a process has not been met, Blackburn Hawks are not yet able to grant this request. Should this situation change the club will make a formal announcement to that effect.”

Hawks are now in negotiations over potential replacements, but were beaten 7-6 at Sutton in the NLN Cup.

The game was tied at 2-2 and 3-3 after the first two periods, but Sutton edged the final period.

A 2-2 home draw with Manchester Minotaurs in the Moralee Conference followed on Sunday.

Hawks are in league action again on Saturday when they travel to Dumfries to face Scottish side Solway Sharks.