BARRING a crippling injury crisis at Ten Acres, big-spending Eastleigh will have saved their biggest signing until last.

When Saints legend Matt Le Tissier puts pen to paper before tomorrow's FA Vase first round match against Deal Town, he will hopefully provide the final piece in the jig-saw for ambitious manager Paul Doswell.

After taking the Jewson Wessex League by storm with a stack of summer signings, Eastleigh have been active again in the transfer market this month, bringing in ex-Saint Christer Warren from Bristol Rovers and signing midfielder Jimmy Anderson from under the noses of title rivals AFC Newbury.

But once Le God signs on, Doswell will happily file the registration forms away - despite a constant stream of phone calls from the league and non-league circuit trying to push surplus players his way.

He said: "I've been really surprised by the quality of teams who've been ringing us to make players available. In the past few days I've spoken to Exeter City, Newport County and Havant & Waterlooville.

"Because we've worked hard pushing the public relations side, people know all about us, but we've got to be careful that clubs don't think we'll sign any old player.

"We've got the squad we want now and the only way I'd bring in more players is if we had two or three bad injuries. There's only so many players you can sign without affecting team spirit."

At just 28, Weymouth-born Warren is young to have finished a professional career that included 94 Football League appearances for AFC Bournemouth.

But, according to Doswell, the left-sided utility player is enjoying the more relaxed mode of life at Ten Acres.

He said: "David Hughes (player/assistant manager and ex-Saint) made a good point when he said that one of the biggest concerns of a pro footballer is whether he's going to get in the side every week. When you take that pressure off, it makes all the difference to them because they can start enjoying their football again.

"Hughesy's loving it. With all his injury problems, he didn't know if he would ever play football again. In Christer's case, I think he got disillusioned with the pro game."

Just to prove that neighbourly spirit does exist, Eastleigh sent their chief scout Steve Beck to watch Deal last week - and did title rivals AFC Totton a favour while he was at it.

By coincidence, the Go Travel Kent League side - Vase winners two seasons ago - drew 1-1 at VCD Athletic, who host Totton in another of tomorrow's first round ties.

"Steve did us a report and he did one for Totton boss Ian Robinson while he was there because they couldn't get along to watch them," said Doswell. "So you see, Wessex League clubs do help one another!"

He added: "Like us, Deal are unbeaten in their league and have just picked up the manager-of-the-month award, so they're no mugs. But we're playing so well at the moment that we needn't fear anyone."

While Totton travel with a full-strength squad, Eastleigh are still without injured pair Hughes and David Laws. Anderson - like Le Tissier - was not registered in time to play.

Lymington & New Milton, who host Walton Casuals, are hoping to sign 19-year-old ex-Cherries centre-half Wayne Crutcher from Dorchester Town.

Having distinguished themselves by reaching the third qualifying round of the FA Cup this season, the Linnets are hoping to carry that form into the Vase.

"I always say that the Cup is for the club itself because it brings in money and that the Vase is for the players and the supporters," said defender/manager Graham Kemp. "We all want to do well and see how far we can go."

BAT are down to the bare bones of a squad for their trip to Cobham. Jamie Sampson is still suspended and both skipper Lee Hodder and ex-Saints defender Steve Baker are unavailable.

Stuart Willes is still sidelined injured, but there's a chance Scott Ferguson will be fit and Jimmy Ball, son of ex-Saints boss Alan, is due back from honeymoon.