TALKS with Millwall for Swindon Town to secure the services of former loanee Sid Nelson on a permanent basis have so far failed, with manager Richie Wellens admitting he might have to look away from the resolute defender and seek manpower elsewhere.

Nelson, 23, joined Town two days prior to the club’s opening League Two fixture of the season on a six-month loan deal from the Championship outfit – becoming former boss Phil Brown’s ninth summer signing.

After his loan deal expired on January 1, following Town’s home loss to Exeter City, Wellens has attempted to sign the defender on a permanent deal.

However, those talks with Millwall chief executive Steve Kavanagh and manager Neil Harris have failed, with Wellens now admitting that he is starting to go down the route of searching for an appropriate replacement.

As a result, Town will remain without Nelson’s services for tomorrow’s crunch League Two clash at home to league leaders Lincoln City – a team which Nelson made his Town league debut against back in August.

“I’m on the phone to Millwall chief executive (Steve Kavanagh) and Neil Harris daily,” said Wellens.

“But, if there is nothing that we can do about it, then we might have to start looking at other options – and I’m starting to go down that route because we’ve already had one game without him.

“And we’re definitely going to have two games without him – I don’t want to go down a blind alley and allow that figure to turn into three or four games.

“I think we need to start getting plans in place knowing that Sid Nelson might not come back to the club.

“He’s back at Millwall, his loan has ended and they have re-called him.

“I’ve said that I would like to do a permanent deal with Millwall. Unfortunately, that’s not possible.

“I’m trying to renew the loan but it’s proving difficult.”

While Wellens strengthened Town’s defensive options yesterday with the addition of Burnley youngster Ali Koiki on loan, the Town boss continues his search for an experienced player and revealed he is close to signing one in an unspecified area.

“We’re close to one. He had a meeting with his club yesterday (Thursday) and if he can something sorted, we will have an experienced player of good age that will bring a lot to the club,” said Wellens.

“I don’t want to be changing 10 or 12 players (in the summer) and keep doing that season after season.

“I think we’re going to get a bit of stability in the squad. We’re close with a couple of experienced players.

“I’ve had to move quick with the younger ones because we lost Elijah (Adebayo) and Steven (Alzate).

“I think Ben (House) will be really good for us as a replacement for Elijah and Canice (Carroll) will be a good player in terms of he can play three or four positions.

“Steven is a big loss, and I’d like a player similar to him. Then defensively, we are short.”