Bashley are working on a double loan deal with Eastleigh to offset the departures of skipper Mat Jones and midfielder Graeme Gee to FA Vase holders Winchester City.

All being well, the Foresters will have striker James Stokoe and full-back Sam Wyeth on board for the Ryman Division 1 trip to Burgess Hill Town.

Wyeth, who came through the youth ranks at Butler's old club Salisbury City, is fit to play, but there's a slight question mark over ex-AFC Bournemouth youngster Stokoe, who missed training this week with a stiff back.

Jones and Gee are two of Bashley's longest-serving players and, along with the advantages of lightening the Foresters' wage bill, manager Geoff Butler believes the pair will benefit from a new challenge with the Sydenhams Wessex League champions.

Butler said: "Money does come into it because they were two of the highest paid players at the club, and you have to look at the longer term as well as the short term.

"Mat and Graeme have done very well this season. They're both smashing lads and I'd like to put on record my thanks for their efforts.

"But you're looking at your senior players to be the driving force of a promotion push, which has not been happening of late, and I personally believe they need a fresh challenge.

"People can look at a sinister side to this, but I prefer to look at it positively. Mat and Graeme are going to an ambitious, successful club, and for us it frees up wages to bring in younger players who have a longer-term future at Bashley.

"We've thought about the players as well and they wouldn't be going unless they were happy to. I doubt they'd have left us to join any other Wessex League club, but this is a big opportunity for them. Winchester are top of their league and have an important FA Vase game coming up at Bridgwater next week."

Bash - down to 11th in Ryman 1 - have also lost Steve Strong. The on-loan utility man has been recalled by Salisbury City. There are question marks too over Bashley's most valuable asset, Richard Gillespie.

The league's top scorer has a tight hamstring and Butler said: "We won't risk him if there's any doubt whatsoever."