JOHN Robson has told sought-after AFC Totton striker Martin Whiddett that the Bashley door is wide open if he fancies stepping up to the Southern League.

Having played for Robson at Alton and Totton, the 32-year-old targetman turned to his old boss for advice when a flood of enquiries came in from Winchester City, AFC Newbury and Bognor Regis Town.

Robson duly obliged but has since lodged notice of approach for the player himself in the hope of persuading him to join Bashley.

Whiddett missed Saturday's FA Vase game for Totton and was again absent for last night's first round replay at Bedfont - both times because of a bad back.

But speculation is growing that the highly coveted frontman is ready to leave Testwood Park and, to add fuel to the fire, another of his old Totton bosses, Ian Robinson, has chipped in with notice of approach from Lymington & New Milton.

Whiddett is the second Totton player in a week to be targeted by Bash boss Robson. The Foresters also tabled a bid for Stags' former Gloucester City central defender Matt Parnell, but it was deemed "not acceptable" by Testwood Park chairman John Dawson.

Parnell signed a two-year contract in the summer and Totton manager Barry Blankley confirmed yesterday: "Matt's not going anywhere. I'm not in the habit of letting good players go if I can help it."

After leading his new Bashley charges to three straight league wins, Robson hopes to continue his jinx over Eastleigh in tonight's big Eastern Division derby at Ten Acres (Wednesday, 7.45)

During his days in charge of Totton last season he twice got the better of Paul Doswell's men - first in Wessex League combat at Testwood Park and then in the League Cup final at Newbury.

Eastleigh boss Paul Doswell confessed: "It would be nice to get one over Mr Robson for a change, but it's bound to be a tough game tonight. John will always get a disciplined, tight side together, but whether they'll score loads of goals I'm not sure."

The sides have already squared up twice this season with honours even. Bashley romped to a 4-1 home success in the league but lost by the same scoreline in the Hampshire Senior Cup at Ten Acres.

Gary Connolly has added his name to Bashley's lengthy injury list having been stretchered off with ankle trouble against Fisher on Saturday, but midfielder Graeme Gee has passed a stringent test on his damaged ankle and will be ready to come of the bench tonight, if required.

Eastleigh are likely to be without ex-Bash striker Paul Sales and Chris Collins (both groin) and Danny Woods (ankle). Tyronne Bowers hopes to return from flu but a question mark hovers over ex-Saints frontman Nicky Banger, who has a badly strained knee.