Just when Paul Doswell thought the worst of Eastleigh's injury crisis was over, the Ryman Premier play-off chasers have lost another key player.

Ex-Saints and Bournemouth full-back Christer Warren, pictured left, could potentially miss the rest of the season with a depressed fracture of the cheekbone sustained in last week's disastrous 4-0 home defeat by Slough Town.

Manager Doswell reported: "Christer had an operation on Tuesday and he's got to be non-contact for eight weeks. That rules him out for the whole of February and March and, by the time he's got his match fitness back, we'll be looking at the middle of April at the soonest. He'll probably miss the rest of the season."

The bad news doesn't end there. Full-back Adam James, who landed on Eastleigh's doorstep in November, is off to do a football scholarship in America in the middle of March.

The 21-year-old, who spent three years as a trainee and first-year pro at Manchester City, chose Eastleigh after moving to the Southampton area from Cwmbran to work on the railways.

Doswell said: "I don't blame Adam for taking the opportunity to go to America, but it's a big blow to us. We get a lot of players turning up for trials and Adam's the first one in my time here who's been good enough."

Eastleigh's midfield should have a more familiar look to it tomorrow when fifth place takes on third at Billericay.

Danny Smith and Tyronne Bowers return from one-match suspensions and David Hughes is available again after a back problem.

Injured duo Martin Beck and Danny Rofe should get a run-out for the reserves after lengthy injuries, but Ryan Ashford's swollen ankle needed treatment this week and Lee Bright missed training with a stiff neck.

"It's been non-stop injuries all season. It's all I ever seem to talk about," groaned Doswell. "We've had Rob Marshall away in Australia too, but he should be back for the Folkestone game on February 5."

Both Eastleigh and Billericay have heavy defeats to get out of their systems tomorrow. While Doswell's men were being taken apart by Slough last Saturday, the Essex side were crushed 5-0 at Braintree, who have moved to second in the table. Billericay lost again on Tuesday, beaten 2-0 at Exeter City in an FA Trophy replay.