NELSON’S former Accrington Stanley midfielder Nat Taylor has suffered a further injury setback.

The 21-year-old, who made three appearances for Stanley in the 2011-12 season, had hoped to return to light training last week after recovering from a broken leg.

But doctors have told Taylor he must spend another eight weeks on the sidelines.

That means Nelson manager Mark Fell will be without Taylor until February. Fell, however, has no immediate plans go back into the transfer market.

The Admirals boss has been busy of late.

He has signed Adnan Ahmed, Ed O’Neill, Lee Botham and Lydon Hodgkiss and allowed Chris Turner, Tom Murphy, Liam Boswell and Mick Berry to leave.

“It wasn’t something we planned, we didn’t actively chase some of the signings, they just landed on our laps and they met the criteria we want from a Nelson player,” said Fell, whose side are second in the North West Counties League First Division.

“We’ve a squad of 20 first team players, plus we’ve integrated five lads from the development or youth squads in the last few weeks.

“Twenty is enough so if we are to bring anyone in now it will be a case of one having to leave to balance the numbers and the books.

“Having said that, we won’t turn down a player who potentially is better than what we’ve got.

“We’ve an obligation to get the best players in for this club and if they fit in then we have tough decisions to make.

“In doing that we want to maintain the really strong spirit in the group so it’s not just about playing ability.”

It is an end of an era, meanwhile, at Nelson’s league rivals AFC Darwen.

Anthony Harkness, who holds the record number of appearances for the club (165), has left to join higher-league Clitheroe.

The left-back played in Darwen’s first competitive match after their re-former, against Coppull United in the Bay Radio West Lancashire League Premier Division in August 2009.