RONNIE Moore has begun clearing the decks to make room for new player arrivals at Eastleigh.

Defender Connor Essam, who joined the Spitfires from Leyton Orient during the summer, has signed for Vanarama National League rivals Woking on a 93-day loan.

Next to leave the Silverlake is popular 32-year-old striker Yemi Odubade who is being released after three years with the club.

Moore inherited five centre-backs when he succeeded Chris Todd last month – two more than he requires - and Essam, 24, is the first to make way.

The boss has indicated that skipper Ryan Cresswell and former Coventry City colossus Reda Johnson are his first-choice pairing, and it looks as if Adam Dugdale is third in line ahead of former Chelsea youngster Ayo Obileye who has yet to feature.

Eastleigh can call Essam back at any time after his first month out and part of the agreement is that he cannot play against them when the Spitfires visit Woking on October 1.

His and Odubade's departures take Eastleigh’s squad down to 20 senior pros, two more than the manager ideally needs if he is to bring in the quality additions he is targeting.

"Connor's desperate to play football and we've told Yemi he's free to go where he wants to. It's just the way football works," said the boss.

“I’ve got a decent group here and we’re two or three players away from being a real threat but, to get them, I’ve got to let some go.

"I had a meeting with six of them and they all know the position they're in. Now it's a waiting game. Some of them have refused to go to some of the clubs (that have come in for them).

"I don't want to shift too many because, you know what it's like, you'll get injuries and all of a sudden it's you out there looking for players on loan and you look a bit of a p..t!"

Moore’s Midas touch has pushed seventh-placed Eastleigh right back into the promotion picture with three straight victories ahead of Saturday’s home game against lowly Southport.

The 63-year-old Liverpudlian launched his managerial career with the Sandgrounders in 1997 and will come up against a new man in the visitors’ dugout with ex-Chester boss Steve Burr taking over from the sacked Andy Bishop.

"I managed Southport for a few months in 1997 when Charlie Clapham was chairman - and he still is," said Moore. "It'll be nice to see him again. I used to take sides there in pre-season to thank him for what he did for me. Rotherham came in for me and Charlie let me go.

"Southport have got decent players, they've just lost their way a bit. They need a bit of guidance and Burry knows this league inside out.

"I wish them all the best - after tomorrow!

"It's not going to be an easy game and we've got to make sure we're on the front foot."

Saturday is “Ladies’ Day” at the Silverlake with the club’s senior women’s and girls’ teams given free entry to the game.

"The female football scene has been on the rise for some years now and for Eastleigh FC to have girls and ladies in the set-up is paramount to the development of our club and shows our commitment to the local community,” said a club statement.