Eastleigh have had no hesitation elevating Wayne Shaw to the rank of first-choice goalkeeper following a shock transfer request from Colin Matthews.

With Matthews having been granted a week off after informing the club on Monday that he wanted to leave, Shaw - the club's goalkeeping coach - will come straight in for tomorrow's Ryman Premier trip to Braintree Town.

And, as far as manager Paul Doswell is concerned, the highly popular former Lymington and Totton 'keeper is in for the duration.

Doswell said: "We're all agreed that it's time for Wayne to be given his chance.

"When Wayne first joined us he knew Colin was our first-choice keeper. Not everyone at the club agreed with me, but I believe a keeper needs to know he's number one and it was always made clear that, however well Wayne played when he came in, Colin would always get the shirt back and I saw no reason to change that policy. Colin had great confidence in Wayne as a coach and he knew he would never undermine him.

"But Wayne is a good goalkeeper too and when he came in for a run of six games last season I think he kept five clean sheets. I've told him he's going to be given a decent chance now.

"Eventually I'd imagine we'd look for another keeper to provide competition for Wayne, but Colin hasn't gone yet and we'll wait and see first what offers come in."

One of Eastleigh's most popular characters, Shaw is involved with coaching from the under-eights right through to the senior side.

"Our chairman, Roger Sherwood, gives out a clubman-of-the-year award and he gave it to Wayne last season. I don't think a player's ever won it before," said Doswell.

Much as he is disappointed that Matthews wants away from Eastleigh, Doswell will not let it detract from their ultimate goal of climbing the football pyramid.

He said: "Colin's done brilliantly for us. He's the ultimate professional and the best goalkeeper out there by miles.

"But no one player will make or break this club. You've got to be happy where you're playing your football and I've noticed that Colin hasn't been this season."

Skipper Rob Marshall and strike duo Paul Sales and Andy Forbes could all play a part at Braintree tomorrow after long spells out injured, but player/coach Nicky Banger is sidelined with knee ligament damage and Danny Rofe is suspended.

Eastleigh's prolonged injury crisis has contributed heavily to their exits from the FA Cup and Trophy, but Doswell said: "I don't want anyone thinking we're not happy. To be up there fifth in the league is fantastic with all that's happened."