Bernard Morley admits Jordan Archer will be ‘hard to replace’ as the Chester striker edges closer to a Football League move.

The 24-year-old, who joined the Blues from Stourbridge last October, has been the subject of interest from the likes of Chesterfield, Salford City and Southport in recent weeks, but now looks set to seal a move to League Two after a bid was accepted earlier this week.

Archer’s departure will leave Chester without a recognised centre-forward, something joint-manager Morley accepts he and Anthony Johnson must address as a matter of urgency, with talks ongoing with an unnamed former Football League striker.

Archer - who netted four times in 19 appearances for Chester last season during an injury-hit campaign - is currently discussing terms with his potential new club.

“Jordan is everything we wanted in a centre-forward,” Morley said.

“He gives you good hold-up play, strength, going in behind. He will be hard to replace.

“The one person we probably wanted to replace him with has gone to Southport, so we’re going to be busy and I’m sure our scouts will be on it Thursday/Friday.

“We don’t want to rush into anything. It must be the right profile of player, we’re not panicking but the season is three weeks away and strikers are not easy to come by.

“We’re hopefully we’ll be able to get one or two more in before the end of the week.

“We’ve met with a striker and that one may just go on the back burner while a couple of things are ironed out.”