The Welsh Premier side, who travel to face Manchester City in the first leg of their Uefa Cup tie on Thursday, have been taking steps to merge with neighbours Oswestry.

The combined team wants to continue playing in European competition in the next two to three years.

But Uefa's problem is because Oswestry is over the border in England - even though Oswestry FC already play in the Welsh Premier.

Plans for a purpose-built stadium are already in the pipeline and the Football Association of Wales has given its approval - but European football's governing body has refused to sanction the plan.

TNS and Oswestry are now planning an appeal and director Richard Hann said: "We hope they are sympathetic.

"There is a precedent here: Derry City are located in Northern Ireland yet play in southern Ireland and are allowed to compete in Europe.

"You also wonder what would happen if Cardiff, Swansea and Wrexham, who all play in England, won a trophy.

It would be a real shame if Uefa did not allow us to play in England TNS director Richard Hann

"If they were to qualify for Europe would they be allowed to play at home as they are all located in Wales? It is a real can of worms.

"It would be a real shame if Uefa did not allow us to play in England.

"We have got the financial backing and the infrastructure, and Oswestry have the training facilities. There are good benefits for both clubs.

"We would be looking to move to Oswestry over the next two to three seasons and hopefully to a 3,000-seater purpose-built stadium.

"The ratification that we could play European football in England came through very quickly from the league and the FA of Wales. Uefa, however, have been very slow."

The Welsh Premier season is due to start on Friday and Oswestry have yet to resign from the league.

But the majority of their players have left, as the assumption was that the merger with TNS was a done deal.

"It is a very difficult and messy situation and we are trying to push things along," Hann added.