Eastleigh'S ex-Saints striker Nicky Banger has made the tough decision to hang up his boots while he is still on top of his game.

"It feels weird to think about never playing again, but I didn't want to be one of those people who gets past their sell-by date and can't do it any more," said the 33-year-old.

"A few people said that about Tiss (Matt Le Tiss) when he came and played for Eastleigh and it's hard to give up when football's in your veins. But I look at the injuries I've had and then I look at my little son, Harvey, who's two and a half, and I want to be able to play with him one day."

Banger, who soared to fame by scoring a Rumblelows Cup hat-trick against Rochdale on his Saints debut, has suffered a real battering in his career, breaking both arms, dislocating his right shoulder and undergoing four hernia operations, 18 cortisone injections and four epidurals.

This season sciatica has been the root of his problems and he decided enough was enough when his hamstring went again at Billericay last Saturday.

He admitted: "I've been finding it tougher and tougher to sustain my level of fitness. I keep getting niggles and unless I play week in, week out I'm going to keep picking up injuries.

"It frustrates me that my body can't do what my brain wants it to, but there's a lot of pressure on you as a striker.

"My game is built on twisting, turning and sprinting and you take a lot of knocks from behind when you're trying to get away from defenders.

"It's been a difficult decision to stop playing but I'm pleased I've made it."

What softens the blow is Banger's continued involvement at Eastleigh as a full-time commerical manager and coach. Already UEFA B qualified, he will take his A licence during the summer as he embarks on "a second career" in coaching.

He said: "If I wasn't staying with Eastleigh and I was retiring from football to do a normal nine to five job, it would leave a far bigger void. Juggling coaching and playing has been hard because you can never give 100 per cent to both, but I really want to take coaching seriously.

"I did my badges in London with Roberto Di Matteo (ex-Chelsea) and Guy Whittingham was my assessor. I love going off and watching other coaches work and, under Dos (Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell), I'm learning man management too. I see myself as a sponge, soaking up all the good knowledge and none of the rubbish!"

Having loaned striker Craig McAllister from Stevenage Borough for the rest of the season, Eastleigh were last night hopeful of tying up the signing of left-sided player Alex Haddow from Slough Town.

Young AFC Bournemouth front runner Ryan Moss should also be with them for tomorrow's trip to Folkestone Invicta as should defender Rob Marshall, who returned from Australia this week.