Eastleigh have been rocked by news that David Hughes's playing days are over for the rest of the season - and possibly for good.

The ex-Saints midfielder, who was cruelly forced out of the professional game at the age of 27, has again succumbed to a knee problem that required five operations during his injury-littered career.

"It's hard to underestimate how big a blow this is for us," admitted manager Paul Doswell, who three years ago persuaded Hughes to join him as his right-hand man at Eastleigh and help wake local football's 'sleeping giant' out of its slumbers.

Hughes's contribution in lifting the club from Wessex League mediocrity to the brink of possible promotion to the Conference South has been massive.

He has been gladiator on the park while, off it, his very presence has been worth upwards of £10,000 a year to the club in sponsorship.

Doswell said: "Along with Danny Smith, David has been magnificent in the centre of midfield and we're desperately disappointed to lose him.

"Not only is he an experienced player that the rest of the team look up to, but he was well worthy of his place in the side.

"He didn't actually feel the injury in the game against Leyton last Saturday, but when he woke up on Sunday morning his knee had ballooned up to three or four times its normal size.

"He's had it looked at and they think he's ruptured an anterior ligament and maybe his cartilage has gone.

"He's been able to give us three seasons, but the specialists say it was like a slow puncture ready and waiting to go again. He's definitely out for the rest of the season and I'm not sure if he'll ever play again. This could be the end."

Hughes's knee problem is not the only setback third-placed Eastleigh have suffered as the race hots up for a top-five play-off spot.

Just when he thought the worst of their injury problems were over, Doswell had another set of problems to contend with last week with Tyronne Bowers (knee), Chris Collins (knee), Alex Haddow (chest infection/knee) and Martin Thomas (suspended) all missing the 1-0 win over Leyton.

Neither Collins nor Haddow trained earlier this week, but Doswell is hoping that Bowers, at least, might be back for tomorrow's trip to lowly Harrow Borough.