Barnet head coach Martin Allen says he may be forced to sign a centre-back on loan in January after Michael Nelson was ruled out for three months after dislocating his shoulder.

The 35-year-old managed just 45 minutes in the 4-2 win over Crawley Town last weekend after falling awkwardly on his left shoulder.

An x-ray has come back clear since but the veteran defender still faces three months on the sidelines.

That leaves Bira Dembele and Bondz N’Gala as the only senior centre-backs at the club.

Last season’s Under-18s captain Harry Taylor came on for the Bees today whilst his centre-back partner last season, Charlie Kennedy, has been training with the first team since returning from a successful spell at Northwood.

But that still leaves Allen short of experienced cover.

Speaking after today’s 2-0 win over Newport County at The Hive, the Bees boss said: “With Michael Nelson out for a while, we might have to ask the chairman if we can get a loan player in, early in January.

“But for the moment we have to work with the players that we’ve got,” he continued.

“I thought I’d bring in one of our young players who had done so well out on loan. Harry Taylor came in and did very well, so I was pleased with that.

“We haven’t got anyone else – the squad is now fully trimmed.

“It’s been refreshing – Charlie Kennedy has been with us, Matt Stevens was close to being in there.

“Justin Nwogu is right in amongst it as well now; he’s been training and playing well.

“Hakeem Odoffin is only 17, Sam Muggleton is only 19, so we’ve got a big group of young players who are integrating really well with the senior squad and we are definitely seeing a difference.”