TYRONNE Bowers's top-notch attitude has earned him a place in Eastleigh's starting line-up for tomorrow's Ryman Premier trip to Hendon.

The tenacious midfielder's response to being one of three players transfer-listed by the club was to offer to play for nothing.

Manager Paul Doswell said: "Tyronne's attitude has been fantastic. He's come to us and said don't pay me for eight weeks and give me the chance to prove myself.

"That sort of response gives him a good chance of staying."

With injuries biting deep at the Sparshatts Stadium, Doswell was disappointed that some of his senior squad players hadn't risen to the challenge of filling in for the walking wounded.

For financial reasons, the squad needed trimming in any case and it was Bowers, midfielder Neil Davis and striker Robbie Matthews who were listed this week.

Doswell said: "Everyone knows how highly I rate Tyronne, but he's been getting decent money and hasn't repaid that with his performances.

"He's taken it all on the chin though and for him to come back and ask for a second chance is fantastic. It might be the making of him as a player. He's got himself a personal trainer, a diet sheet and has joined a gym - and all because he wants to stay."

Already chairman Roger Sherwood's phone has been red hot with inquiries about the transfer-listed trio, including calls from Bashley, Gosport, Andover and AFC Newbury. Salisbury are also monitoring the situation but are unlikely to make a move until general manager Nick Holmes flies in from Florida on Monday. "We're always interested when quality players become available," said director Neville Beal.

The good news for tomorrow is that Eastleigh's injury/illness crisis is starting to ease. Christer Warren returns, having had 12 stitches in a gashed shin, and David Hughes has recovered from flu.

Striker Andy Forbes is also making progress from his calf problems and played 75 minutes against Wealdstone on Monday.

Midfielder Danny Woods will again be borrowed back from Wimborne tomorrow, but it's 50-50 whether Eastleigh can get a day's loan of fellow old boy Taffy Richardson from Poole Town.

Salisbury's summer strike signing Sean Cook could feature in the squad for the first time this season at home to Leyton tomorrow.

The former Thatcham man continued his comeback from a dislocated shoulder by playing 90 minutes for the reserves on Wednesday.

Cook's return to fitness comes at a convenient time for the Whites, who lose ex-Saints frontrunner Adam Wallace to a 42-day suspension from Monday.

They have also welcomed back South African striker Stuart Brown, who played for AFC Totton last season.

Skipper Scott Bartlett (ankle) and striker Matt Tubbs (hamstring) may still be struggling tomorrow but midfielder Steve Strong, who missed much of pre-season with a minor heart problem, is almost fit.

Whites' unbeaten start to the campaign was wrecked by a tame 1-0 surrender at Slough Town on Monday.

Assistant manager Andy Cook, the ex-Saints defender, said: "It was disappointing."