Rushend and Diamonds to miss out on Mark Byrne

Edinburgh has made eight summer signings so far

Rushden and Diamonds boss Justin Edinburgh says midfielder Mark Byrne will not be re-joining them on loan.

The 21-year-old scored seven goals in 44 appearances last season while on loan from Nottingham Forest.

"I'm disappointed because we gave him the platform to perform," Edinburgh told BBC Radio Northampton.

"That's the difficulty when you take loan players in - they're not yours after a season. But everyone else I wanted to re-sign has stayed with us."

Rushden and Diamonds may yet make other additions to their squad as a result of failing to land Byrne.

"We miss out on one, but I'm talking to one or two players," said Edinburgh.

"There are a lot without football clubs, so we can be patient."

Diamonds were Blue Square Premier play-off semi-finalists last season, and Edinburgh knows the size of the task facing them to replicate that achievement.

"This year will be tougher than last but this group of players are ambitious and the ones we've brought in match that.

"We're unfancied but that's the challenge we like."