Injury-hit Andrew Nelson will remain out of action for a couple more weeks due to persistent knee problems that have dogged him all season.

The Darlington striker has been battling to overcome serious injury sustained at the beginning of last season when he was with Torquay United.

Nelson has worked closely with Danny O’Connor, Quakers’ sport therapist, since signing for the club in the summer and played sporadically this season, but has missed the last three fixtures.

He will not be involved when Darlington aim to extend their unbeaten run on Saturday at home to Gloucester, and manager Alun Armstrong explained: “We’re waiting for an injection on Nella at the end of this month and then we’ll take it from there.

“It’s been a bit annoying as we thought we had got there, but then he had a setback in the game at Southport.

“We’ve got to be careful with him, but there’s got to be that point where he’s got to go all in and give it a good blast, and if it doesn’t work then okay. If it does, great. We’ll know a lot more after the next injection.

“It’s similar to cortisone, but doesn’t leave long lasting affects and hopefully he’ll be back at the beginning of December.”

Left-back George Smith is 50/50 for tomorrow, while Danny Ellis is expected to be available though may not displace Jake Lawlor or Jake Cooper.

“George is a miss because we haven’t had that balance on the left,” added Armstrong.

“He’s getting there. We’ll have a good session with him on Thursday to see how he is, to see if he is available for the bench.

“He’s got some tests to do, but if he’s not ready for Saturday then we’re looking at Tuesday at Boston.

“Danny should be available, but whether he starts is another thing.

“I don’t have to throw him straight back in, having the players we’ve got gives us a bit of time.”

Luke Charman serves the final game of a three-match ban on Saturday, so will return for Tuesday’s game at Boson.

Armstrong said: “He’s been looking sharp in training.”

Darlington have taken seven points from the last nine available, and drew 2-2 last week at Chester.