Eastleigh have their fingers crossed that Southampton legend Francis Benali will follow in Matt Le Tissier's star-studded footsteps to Stoneham Lane.

The ambitious Dr Martens Eastern Division club have sounded out the 35-year-old following the weekend's announcement that Benali is to end his 22-year association with the Saints.

It might sound fanciful, but it wouldn't be the first time Eastleigh have left the non-League community open-mouthed by their ability to draw big names to the Sparshatts Stadium.

Last year they pulled off the greatest coup in Wessex League history by persuading former England star Le Tissier to play a handful of games - just months after 'Le God' had bowed out of the Premiership with a full-house testimonial at St Mary's.

Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell confirmed: "I spoke to Franny last Sunday after reading in The Pink that he was leaving Saints.

"He said he wanted a couple of weeks to sort his mind out, but he'd let me know in the next fortnight.

"I actually rang him a couple of months ago to see if he wanted to come over, but he said then that he didn't think he could because of his coaching job with Southampton.

"But when I realised he'd left the coaching side, I thought it would be the ideal time to talk again."

With ex-Saints Mark Dennis and David Hughes on the Eastleigh management team and former Dell boys like Nicky Banger and Christer Warren playing for club, Ten Acres would be like a home from home for Benali.

Doswell said: "He could come to us like Matty did and play three or four games, but I suspect that if Franny did agree to sign for us, it would be more serious than that if he was enjoying his football.

"With Matt it was only ever going to be a handful appearances, but Franny might play more.

"Initially it was just an open-ended chat and he may turn round and say 'no'.

"But if comes off it'll be another great coup for the club and, if it doesn't, at least we tried!"

Eastleigh's top scorer Paul Sales is celebrating his 30th birthday in New York and misses tonight's Russell Cotes Cup tie against Cove at the Sparshatt's Stadium (7.45).

Banger is also ruled out by a heavy cold, but Robbie Matthews, Martin Beck, Tyronne Bowers and Taffy Richardson are all likely starters.