"The reason he joined us in the first place was because there were a couple of things he wasn't happy with at Coalville," said Nailers boss Peter Duffield.

"These issues are no longer a problem and he has been offered the chance to become a coach.

"He said that he'd only move on if he was offered a coaching role as it's something he is keen to pursue in the future.

"It's disappointing to lose him but he helped us out over the Christmas period and we wish him all the best.

"We would have liked to have had him for longer but we move on now."

Duffield may look to bring in a replacement for Stuart but hopes the current squad can cope with the loss.

"Aaron Pride is itching to play again after coming back from injury, so he could be an option, and we are always on the lookout for new players," said the manager.

"We have got people to play in that position but time and results will tell if we need to bring someone else in."

Duffield is hoping midfielder Steve Warne will have recovered from illness in time for tomorrow's home match against Chasetown.

The Scholars, who reached the play-offs last season along with Belper, are currently 13th but have won their last three games.

"Chasetown are a good team and although we beat them earlier in the season, it could have gone either way," said Duffield, whose side have only lost once in 11 league games. "I'm expecting a really hard game."

Last Saturday's 4-3 win on Sutton Coldfield Town's artificial pitch lifted Belper up to third place, though only two points separate them and the five teams below.

"It was a good, hard match and could have gone either way," said Duffield.

"There was plenty of excitement and plenty of goals.

"We were just delighted to come out on the right side of it. The boys dug deep and defended brilliantly towards the end of the game."

Source: Derby Telegraph