PAUL Doswell still has faith that Eastleigh will squeeze through to the Ryman Premier play-offs, but he admits he's not as confident as he used to be.

After riding high in second place behind Yeading, the Sparshatts Stadium club have fallen away in their last four games, picking up just one point from 12 ahead of tomorrow's visit of Staines Town.

"There's no doubting we're not in a good vein of form," said Doswell in the wake of Tuesday's disappointing 3-0 collapse at Worthing.

"Four games ago we looked dead certs for a play-off place and now we don't. But I know what we can do when we're on our game and I still think we'll be all right.

"We need to turn this round - and quickly."

There are still question marks over Tyronne Bowers (hamstring) and full-back Adam James (back), but news that striker Paul Sales could make the bench tomorrow after groin trouble is one reason to be cheerful.

Another is the return of diehard defender Danny Rofe, who has been getting fit with Winchester City after a long-term hamstring problem.

"Rofey's important to us because he's a big character and a battler and that's what you need in this situation," said Doswell.

"I was talking to the Salisbury manager Nick Holmes this week and we were saying that we wish every player felt as passionate about their football as we do."

Ex-Saint Holmes, who takes his relegation-threatened City side to Dover Athletic tomorrow, believes clubs in this area lack the abrasive edge of the London sides.

He said: "I don't think their players are any more skilful or special than ours are, but the London sides have more nastiness about them.

"Paul (Doswell) is the same as me. He's tearing his hair out trying to get the best from players in this nice, mollycoddled atmosphere down here.

"We've got to be stronger as a team and show a bit more character."

Like Eastleigh, Salisbury have put in notice of approach for Slough Town left winger Alex Haddow, who played against Whites in Tuesday's 3-0 Bryco Cup defeat.

"He's as good a player as I've seen at this level," said Holmes. "But I can't imagine what he'll say when I tell him I'm from Salisbury after the way we played the other night!"

Aaron Cook (knee), Scott Bartlett (fractured thumb), Adam Wallace (ankle) and Mark Lisk (calf) could all be back in the reckoning tomorrow, but Matt Tubbs (knee) is still out.

Salisbury, meanwhile, have signed 21-year-old goalkeeper Simon Arthur from Winchester City as cover for Kevin Sawyer.

He replaces Alan Walker-Harris, who has moved in the opposite direction.