INJURY-PLAGUED Eastleigh have moved to strengthen their squad.

The Spitfires have signed 26-year-old midfielder Jack Payne on loan from fellow Vanarama National League side Ebbsfleet United until October 6.

Payne has gone straight into the squad for this evening's league fixture at Maidenhead.

A versatile player, Payne can operate across the middle of the park or drop into defence if required.

He has started two games this season and most recently featured in Ebbsfleet’s 1-0 victory against Hartlepool United.

Gravesend-born Payne penned a deal with Ebbsfleet in June 2017 having spent the previous season at Blackpool.

He featured 44 times and played for the victorious Tangerines in their League Two play-off final at Wembley against Exeter City.

He began his career at Eastleigh boss Andy Hessenthaler's old club Gillingham, figuring more than 100 times in a five-year spell and earning the club’s young player of the year award in his first season.

He had three years at Peterborough United from 2013 following a £750,000 switch from the Gills, playing with Posh in the Championship and figuring in the League One play-offs in 2013/14.

He also spent six months on loan at another of Hessenthaler's former clubs Leyton Orient in 2015/16, but his appearances were limited by a knee problem. 

Eastleigh's assistant manager Ben Strevens has also been registered with the league and has been handed the No24.