EXETER City captain Matt Taylor says he has 'no chance' of being fit for this weekend's trip to Hartlepool United.

Last week Grecians manager Paul Tisdale voiced his hope that the skipper would be able to recover from his back problem in time for the npower League One clash with the Pools.

But Taylor has poured cold water over that prospect, saying the injury which has caused him to miss the last four City games is still bothering him.

The centre-back had a scan on his back on Monday and hopes the results will help the club's medical staff get him back on the pitch as soon as possible.

Taylor said: "I have got no chance for Hartlepool — I have got a certain amount of movement (in the back) but no extension, so I will have to wait and see what happens in the next couple of weeks.

"I cannot really run properly and have only been able to jog very lightly. I have to keep it moving — if I sit down for a period of time then it seizes up in a certain position.

"I had a back problem a few years ago and it was something I managed so it never gave me a problem, but this is probably a result of the injury I picked up against Crystal Palace, when I landed funny."

Taylor landed awkwardly after challenging for a high ball against George Burley's Championship outfit at Ladysmead in July.

He recovered in time to play for the Grecians against Colchester United in their first league game of the season and also played the full 120 minutes against Ipswich Town in the Carling Cup the following week.

But the defender's back went into spasm following a training session shortly after.

Taylor said: "For the first league and cup game the injury was sore but it wasn't getting any worse, so I played through it. But one day in training I felt an extra tightness around the muscles and it went into spasm for 10 days.

"I don't know when I will be back. With the injuries I have had in the past I have been back in no time at all but that is not the case with this one.

"It's frustrating being on the sidelines but getting injuries is part of being a footballer. I played every game last year and have missed four already this season, so I want to be back as soon as possible."

Taylor's absence from the first team has given Troy Archibald-Henville the opportunity to return to action quicker than expected.

The former Tottenham Hotspur man had only just returned to full training after nine months on the sidelines with a serious knee injury when he made his first start of the season in the match at Yeovil Town last week.

And Taylor has been impressed with the quality of Archibald-Henville's performances so far.

The skipper said: "We have needed Troy back and I think he has been excellent. We needed some aggression and fight at the back and he gives us that.

"He's a quality player. It will take him a few games but when he is fully fit he will be even better."