Barnsley are considering taking legal action after Iain Hume suffered a fractured skull and internal bleeding in Saturday's loss to Sheffield United.
The striker, 25, who has since been moved out of a high dependency unit in hospital, underwent surgery after a challenge by Chris Morgan.
"The club may be seeking legal advice on the matter," Tykes manager Simon Davey told BBC Radio Sheffield.
"We've ended up with a life-threatening injury and a player in a hospital bed."
Davey told the club website: "I went to see Iain yesterday [Monday] and he is conscious although he has not slept since the incident.
"The operation went well but he is very down and very angry."
Former Leicester forward Hume was hurt in a clash with Sheffield United skipper Morgan and appeared to be caught by an elbow as both players challenged for a header in the first half.
"He got caught in the face with an elbow. He couldn't move his neck," added Davey.
"His neck was stiff and his cheekbone's not in the same shape it was when he started the game."
The striker's condition deteriorated on Sunday and he was taken in for surgery.
Morgan, who started his career at Barnsley, was booked over the incident by referee Andy D'Urso, but Davey was furious at the outcome.
"The decision not to show a red card was an absolute disgrace," he told the Tykes website.
"Iain is now in hospital with a fractured skull because of that challenge - one that seemingly warranted only a yellow card."
Davey claimed both he and assistant manager Ryan Kidd had raised concerns over Hume's treatment by the Blades with ref D'Urso at half-time.
He added: "There is no timescale regarding when he will be fit enough to return, but he is in a stable condition."
The Blades responded to the news of Hume's injury in a club statement on Monday.
"Sheffield United are saddened and concerned to hear that Barnsley striker Iain Hume is being monitored in a high dependency unit following last Saturday's fixture," it read.
"We wish him a speedy and full recovery."
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