THREE of Eastleigh's senior players are approaching the end of the road at the Sparshatts Stadium.
Tyronne Bowers, Neil Davis and former Saints trialist Robbie Matthews have all been transfer-listed in the wake of the bank holiday weekend, which brought just one point from a possible six Ryman Premier Division points.
Although Eastleigh's escalating injury crisis has taken its toll on results, manager Paul Doswell is disappointed that senior players have not grasped the opportunity to shine in the absence Paul Sales (broken leg), Ryan Ashford (ankle), Chris Collins (infected insect bite), Christer Warren (gashed leg) and Rob Marshall (viral infection).
Former Salisbury and Bemerton striker Matthews, pictured, has failed to score in three league starts, midfielder Davis - a free signing from Havant & Waterlooville last season - has blown hot and cold and Bowers looks a shadow of the player he was at Salisbury City.
Despite their "moneybags" reputation, Eastleigh made it clear during the summer that their squad was over-budget and would need to be trimmed in September.
Chairman Roger Sherwood said: "Contrary to what a lot of people think, we have got a budget which we need to keep to.
"We signed three quality players in the summer in Martin Thomas, Andy Forbes and Danny Smith and Paul knew all along that he would have to trim the squad, but it was a case of kicking off the season and then making up our minds who we were going to transfer list.
"We've got a 22-man squad and yet, since getting all those injuries, results have suffered which just goes to show that some players are not what we're looking for."
Several clubs, including Bashley, have already enquired about Matthews, but it's thought Eastleigh will want a fee of between £4,000-5,000 for the Wiltshire-based hod carrier.
Bowers would possibly be in the £3,000-£4,000 bracket, while it's believed that ex-Saints trainee Davis could go on a free.
Doswell confessed: "I'm not downabout results, but what's killed me is that here was an opportunity for certain players to show me what they're made of and it hasn't happened.
"I can't include our youngsters in the same category because they will only get better."
Eastleigh borrowed midfielder Danny Woods back from Wimborne for Monday's 2-1 home defeat by Wealdstone and are hoping to have another old boy, Taffy Richardson, available for Saturday's trip to Hendon.
All inquiries for the transfer-listed trio to Sherwood on 07980 725137.
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