NELSON have their best ever chance of winning promotion from NWCL Division Two according to stalwart striker Nigel Coates.

And he should know because he was manager for four years!

And the current squad at Victoria Park is the strongest he has seen in his 10 year spell with the club.

Coates, 39, was manager between 1992-96 but now he is enjoying his duel role as player and assistant to John Bailey.

He said: "We probably have had more gifted individual players but this is the strongest and fittest squad we have had here."

Nelson have had a few near misses in recent seasons but Coates feels this could be the year for the present side, currently six points clear at the top of the table.

He added: "To be honest the league is not that strong this season so this could be our year."

The former Colne Dynamos, Bamber Bridge and Accrington Stanley striker has had to be content with a bit part as Kiko Rodriguez and Carl Howarth have formed Nelson's main strike force.

So he has had to settle for more of a rotational role which has seen him net three goals so far this season.

Meanwhile, Nelson go into the home clash against Padiham with doubts surrounding the fitness of Scott Gizon and Craig Heffernan.

Padiham boss John Howarth believes Nelson are the strongest side in the league -- they lost 6-0 earlier in the season -- so much so that he won't reveal who his suspended players are!

He said: "I don't want to name names because John Bailey knows all about my side so he'll know what players I'll pick.

"The league is now a two horse race between them and Squires Gate but I think Nelson are the strongest side."