Bashley have set their sights on the all-round talent of Moneyfields' utility man James Dunk.

The Foresters have lodged notice of approach with the Sydenhams Wessex League outfit for a player who feels at home virtually anywhere on the park.

It's Dunk's defensive skills that principally interest Bash manager John Robson. He said: "James is a lad I was looking at when I was managing Totton and we were not sure what people like Stuart Ritchie were going to do.

"Ideally, I see him as a back four player but he can play anywhere across defence with either foot and he can also do a job in the middle of the park and up front.

"I've had a few people watch him and we all agree he's a quality player who could do a lot better."

At least one of Bashley's two new signings from Newport IoW is ruled out of tomorrow's home match against Dartford as the Foresters bid to make it three new year wins in a row.

Attacking midfielder Gareth Keeping is suspended after totting up five bookings for his old club and striker Stuart Cannie is also doubtful having been laid low by illness. Robson said: "It'll be disappointing if Stuart can't play either, but I'm looking forward to having the pair of them 100 per cent fit and available and integrated into the team.

"Gareth's got a fantastic engine on him and Stuart's left peg is as good as anyone's in this area."

Goalkeeper Mike Hookway, who lost his place when David Elm returned from illness, has disappeared off the Bashley scene. Youth team graduate Rob Vine will cover for Elm after some impressive displays for the reserves. "He's going to be a quality keeper," predicted Robson.

The Eastern Division's match of the day pits third-placed Salisbury City away to fourth-placed Histon, who have lost just one league game all season.

Although Nick Holmes' Salisbury are a point better off, the Cambridgeshire hosts have three games in hand over the teams above them and Whites' assistant manager Tommy Killick said: "That's why this game is so important."

The big regret for Salisbury is they travel without leading scorer Adam Wallace and midfield terrier Wayne Turk, both ruled out by one-match bans.

"It's a bummer these suspensions fall on this game," admitted Killick. "Adam's been very impressive and we've had a settled midfield three of Turks, Matt Davies and Craig Davis. Last Saturday's 3-0 win at Sittingbourne was some of the best football we've played since I've been at the club but it's getting to that time of the season where injuries and suspensions are unavoidable."

Recent midfield arrival Glenn Howes had a midweek reserve run-out after his knee problem and defender Michael Coo-per - out since the Sheffield Wednesday FA Cup tie in November, also with knee trouble - is on the brink of a comeback.

Eastleigh's director of football Mark Dennis has labelled tomorrow's trip to Erith & Belvedere a "must win" game after last week's surprise 1-0 defeat at Corby.

Although the Sparshatts Stadium side are healthily placed fifth in the Eastern Division, they can't afford another slip-up against one of the basement sides.

Eastleigh have also failed tests of character at VCD Athletic (FA Cup) and Sittingbourne this season and Dennis said: "It's time for some of our players to stand up and be counted. I won't name names but they know who they are."

Phil Warner and Sam Carter are still banned tomorrow but Paul Sales (thigh), Tyronne Bowers (hamstring) and Chris Collins (groin) all have a chance of ret-urning. "To get all three back would be a bonus, but even two out of three would make a huge difference," said Dennis.

It looks as if crisis club Newport IoW will still be on tenterhooks about their future going into tomorrow's home game against Banbury United. Matthew Fox, senior manager for receivers, BDO Stoy Hayward of Southampton, says lawyers are still working on the sale of the club and predicts it will be "the early part or the middle of next week" before the identity of the new owner(s) is known.

Ex-Newport secretary Chris Cheverton has recovered from serious illness and is assisting senior player Ian Buckman to run the team while caretaker boss Bun-ny Warwick is on holiday. Cheverton is joined in the dugout by John Tatum, a former Wimbledon player, who has been running the youth team.

Adam Barsdell is again suspended and Jon Holmes (ankle) and Chris Bridges (strained quad muscle) are doubts.