EASTLEIGH have mixed injury news ahead of tomorrow’s vitally important Vanarama National League clash at Gateshead.

Chris Todd’s men trained at Sheffield United today on their way up to the north east and will be spending the night in Newcastle.

But although Yemi Odubade joined the travelling party after recovering from a hamstring injury, ex-Saint Dan Harding and midfielder Andy Drury were left behind.

Drury is being treated for a haematoma and bruising after limping off at Lincoln with a dead leg.

Left-back Harding, meanwhile, faces up to two weeks sidelined with a torn lateral abdominal muscle sustained early on at Kidderminster.

With Jai Reason due to complete a two-match ban, the return of Odubade – an ex-Gateshead player – is a godsend for the stuttering Spitfires who slipped out of the play-off zone to seventh following the postponement of Saturday’s home game against Barrow and are without a win in six league games.

Todd said: “Yemi’s back and that’s massive for us because he offers something different. He’s got pace and power and can play in two positions, either right wing or up front.”

Whereas Eastleigh have yet to win in 2016, FA Trophy quarter-finalists Gateshead had not lost this calendar year ... until last Saturday.

Out of the blue, they had their seven-match unbeaten league and cup run halted 4-0 at Dover – despite dominating the opening 20 minutes.

“We had them watched and they probably didn’t deserve to lose by that many,” said Todd. “But if teams take their chances in this league, scorelines can look ridiculous.”

Shocked Gateshead boss Neil Aspin said: “Defensively we've been solid of late and even when we gave away a poor first goal, I didn’t expect us to crumble as we did.

“The players are better than they showed on Saturday. They have shown that in six or seven games prior and they need to show it against Eastleigh.”

The 11th-placed Tynesiders have triumphed twice at the Silverlake this season, both by 2-1 scorelines in the league and Trophy.

Gateshead forward Danny Johnson (ankle) may return tomorrow, but Adam Wrightson (shoulder), James Marwood (ankle) and Simon Ramsden (groin) miss out.