LEIGH Phillips has been praised for his "amazing" attitude to being one of Salisbury City's odd men out.

City's squad is so strong these days that their bench at Hastings United on Tuesday comprised Phillips, Steve Strong, Gary Funnell, Glenn Howes and Michael Cooper - five players who would arguably walk into most other Eastern Division sides.

When Phillips moved to the club from Lymington & New Milton, there were question marks over his ability to cut in the Southern League after scoring for fun in the Wessex, but assistant manager Tommy Killick said: "Leigh's been doing really well. He's fitter than he's ever been as he's been training properly with us.

"Unfortunately, he's been out of the side as Adam Wallace is doing really well of late and Matt Tubbs has a lot of quality, but Leigh's attitude has been amazing. He's such a vibrant member of the squad.

"I feel frustrated on his behalf that he's getting much of a look-in and I hope he has a bigger part to play between now and the end of the season."

Phillips's lack of first-team football will doubtless get other clubs sniffing round and Killick acknowledged: "Other Eastern Division sides like Eastleigh and Bashley are well-stocked for strikers, but I would imagine three-quarters of the Wessex League would ring him if there was any suggestion Leigh would go.

"I think he is a bit fed up because he's really fit and wants to prove himself, but he does like Salisbury and wants to be part of what we achieve."

Whites moved up to third on the back of a 4-1 midweek win at Hastings United, but Killick has not been overly impressed with the last two performances.

He said: "Hastings gave us a lesson in the first half and how we went in 1-0 up at half-time, I'll never know. We didn't really get going against Ashford last Saturday either and I hope we do a bit better at Burgess Hill tomorrow. We've got a point to prove because they beat us in the first game of the season."

Eastleigh will be arriving early for tomorrow's game against Chatham Town.

The Stoneham Lane club feature a wealth of ex-Dell boys in their line-up and are opening at 12 noon so that fans can watch the Man United v Saints match (12.30pm kick-off) in the warmth and comfort of the clubhouse.

"We' hope a lot of Saints fans come down and stay to watch the Chatham game," said boss Paul Doswell. "We had a decent crowd of 258 again Fleet last week and could get a few more tomorrow."

New midfielders Taffy Richardson and Neil Davis return to the squad after being cup-tied for Tuesday's Hampshire Senior Cup quarter-final triumph at Aldershot, where ex-Saints Christer Warren and Phil Warner returned to the side. Defender Danny Rofe missed out after breaking a finger against Fleet.

Ex-Havant & Waterlooville man Davis is likely to be Eastleigh's last signing this season. "It's a matter of fine-tuning now," said Doswell, whose side sit fifth in the Eastern Division.

Newport IoW stalwart Chris Cheverton has paid tribute to the fans who have kept the club going in the recent St George's Park crisis. The future of the football club was finally secured this week when the receivers, BDO Stoy Hayward of Southampton, announced the ground and facilities had been sold to Salisbury-based company South Coast Leisure.

But former secretary Cheverton knows Port could have gone under but for the efforts of the Save Newport Action Group who have been funding the games. He said: "The SNAG guys have been heroic. I don't know where their stamina came from. Everyone did their best to jolly the players week after week, but we were all disappointed it dragged on so long."

Ex-reserve team boss John Linnington and right-hand man Roger McCormack are now taking care of team matters along with caretaker boss Bunny Warwick.

With Jon Holmes, Chris Bridges and Steve Bonser all injured for tomorrow's visit of table-topping Tonbridge Angels, Linnington has delved deep into his contacts list to sign six ex-Newport players as cover - Adam Connor (East Cowes Vics), Dean Rayner and Rob Kirby (Red Star), Jamie Newham and mainland-based duo Jody Long (Whyteleafe) and Shane Jones (Redhill).

Striker Liam Gearing, who went to East Cowes Vics after his loan spell at Winchester City, was back training with Newport this week and could make a surprise appearance tomorrow.

Lowly Fleet travel to Hastings United hoping for good things from new signing Danny Boyle from Moneyfields.

The pocket-sized midfielder made his debut as a substitute at Eastleigh last week and manager Mick Catlin said: "He's good on the ball, aggressive and puts himself around a bit.

"He's only a teenager, but we have to rely on youngsters because it's all we can afford. Ideally we need two or three experienced players, but the money's not there to get them."

Bashley are without a game tomorrow. They had been scheduled to play King's Lynn, who are otherwise engaged in the Trophy.