Burton Albion manager Nigel Clough has revealed that influential midfielder Paul Carden is set to quit the Nationwide Conference club.

His departure would be a real blow for the Brewers as they currently find themselves in a promotion play-off spot.

"We have done everything we can to keep Paul at the club and I think he was happy with our offer," Clough told the Burton Mail.

"But we're simply not in a position to compete with the offer that's been made to him by a League club.

"I think the club involved have got to move a player out before they can bring Paul in, but basically everything has been agreed and he intends to accept the offer."

However, Clough is optimistic that he can find a replacement for the 27-year-old in time for Saturday's clash with fellow promotion hopefuls Weymouth.

"We're talking to six players at the moment. Two are strikers and one is a wide player, but the other three are people who would be a direct replacement for Paul.

"We're disappointed to lose Paul, but we fully understand his reasoning - and there are other players out there who can come in and do a similar job."