TRANSCO Lancashire League title hopefuls Nelson expect to get a near full season from new professional Chris Harris.

The Kiwi all-rounder is due to resume his league career at Seedhill this summer as Keith Arthurton's successor as paid man with the 1999 champions.

And despite a possible New Zealand tour of Sri Lanka late in the summer, Nelson are confident there will be minimum disruption to their plans.

Nathan Astle pulled out of a return to Accrington because of the scheduled tour but with Harris likely to be called up for one-day duty at most, Nelson believe he wouldn't miss more than a couple of league fixtures.

Club secretary Rod Marsden confirmed: "I spoke to Chris last week and he said the tour hasn't even been confirmed yet. It's possible that he might be unavailable during the one-day games but that would only be for two of our games so as far as I'm concerned he's coming across."

Harris was a big success with bat and ball during his spell at Ramsbottom, and Nelson, who will be captained by Paul Garraghty following Duncan Spencer's departure, hope his signing will help them wrest the title back from Bacup, having won it in two of the last three years.

"I've got great respect for Chris. He's very committed and will be good for the club," Marsden added.

Burnley's capture of South African international and former Turf Moor professional Dale Benkenstein -- who also has no international tours scheduled for the summer -- means that only Lowerhouse and Todmorden are still to name professionals for the coming season. Worsley Cup holders Todmorden have been forced to make a second appointment after Dan Marsh was snapped up by Leicestershire and released from his contract at Centre Vale.

However, they are close to naming Marsh's successor with another Australian, who has played international cricket, in the frame to fill what skipper Nigel Hunter believes will be a big gap.

"He was a good friend to a lot of people at the club but this is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for him. We just wish him all the best and hope he does really well," Hunter said.