EX-SAINT David Hughes is hoping to give Eastleigh a mammoth boost for the Ryman Premier Division play-offs.

Specialists have advised him to call time on his playing career, but the 31-year-old midfielder wants to give it one last go and help push Eastleigh into the Conference South.

Having been forced out of the pro game prematurely by injury, Hughes' old knee cartilage problems came back to haunt him at the beginning of March and it was feared he would never play again.

But he has worked tirelessly to get himself match fit one last time and he may yet play a part in tomorrow's play-off semi-final against George Borg's Braintree Town (7.45pm) at the Sparshatts Stadium.

"David had a scan which showed bone on bone and the surgeons have said he shouldn't play any more," explained manager Paul Doswell. "But he's determined he wants to be part of the play-offs and, if he comes back tomorrow or for Saturday's final, if we get through, that would be his last game.

"He has been working really hard with physio Kim Chesterfield at Therapeutics for the last three weeks, doing an hour every day.

"His back's a bit stiff at the moment, which is why he didn't travel to Dover with us on Saturday, and that's more of a problem than his knee right now.

"We'll leave it until today or tomorrow to see how he is, but it would be fantastic to have him available because he's a massive part of all we've achieved."

As player and assistant manager to Doswell, Hughes has been a key man both on and off the pitch as Eastleigh have set local football alight with successive promotions from the Wessex and Dr Martens Leagues.

It was his friendship with Matt Le Tissier that persuaded 'Le God' to turn out for Eastleigh two seasons ago in the Wessex League.

Doswell said: "Talking to some of our supporters at our 'do' the other night, a lot of them first got involved with the club when Le Tiss was here and then decided to carry on.

"We've got a lot to thank David for and it shows great determination on his part that he wants to play again."

Eastleigh are hopeful of a 1,000-plus crowd tomorrow.

The other semi-final between Billericay Town and Leyton is being played tonight.

Eastleigh or Braintree travel to either Billericay or Leyton on Saturday.