EASTLEIGH’S Michael Green is available again after a three-match suspension for tomorrow’s Vanarama Conference showdown with Southport at the Silverlake Stadium.

But manager Richard Hill says the left-back – a big favourite with Spitfires fans – must “earn the right” to regain a place in his ninth-placed team.

Hill, who insists Green would never have been red-carded against Gateshead if he’d followed his instructions, wasted no time bringing a new left-back into the club, signing former Bradford defender Matt Fry on a free transfer.

And unless Fry is “injured, ill or something” he very much doubts Green will walk straight back in – even if other people want him to.

Hill said: “I’ve heard from a few places that we’ve missed Michael Green.

“Firstly I find that a bit rude towards Matt Fry and, secondly, what are people telling ME for? Go tell Greener. He’s the one who got sent off, not me, yet people talk to me as if it’s my fault for not picking him.

“I very much doubt I’d consider having him back in the team tomorrow unless Matt Fry can’t play.

“Matt had pre-season with Luton and missed a bit of extra fitness through not playing matches, but he’s got better with every game.”

With right-back Dan Spence ready to go again after groin trouble, Hill has the option of playing him at left back if Fry’s sore Achilles proves problematic.

Southport, currently 16th, are not good travellers. It’s been over a year since the Sandgrounders collected maximum points on the road and since Salisbury-born ex-Saint Martin Foyle took charge in the summer they have lost 3-1 at FC Halifax and taken a point at Torquay and Telford. They have won just one of their opening six league games.

“Foyley and I played up front together for Oxford,” Hill revealed. “He’s on my Christmas card list and he’s there at the end of the phone if I need anything. As a frontline pair, I’d say he complemented me more than I complemented him!”