EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill rates the Spitfires as underdogs for their all-Vanarama Conference FA Cup fourth qualifying round tie at Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday week.

Following last season’s dominance of the Conference South, Eastleigh’s ‘big spenders’ tag has followed them into non-League’s elite and Kiddy boss Gary Whild has already pointed out that “they’ve got heavy investment from the chairman and they’re an ambitious club.”

But while the Spitfires are new on the Conference national block, Kidderminster finished seventh in the top tier last term – and have home advantage to boot.

Reflecting on yesterday’s draw, Hill said: “It is what it is. Everyone wants a home draw, preferably against lower league opposition, but 50 per cent of us are going to be disappointed.

“No one can choose who comes out of the hat or whether it’s home or away and we’ll be going to Kidderminster as underdogs. The pressure, if there is any, is all on them. Kidderminster are an established Conference Premier club and an ex-Football League club as well.”

Pondering Eastleigh’s ‘big-spending’ reputation, Hill pointed out: “I tried to take a player on loan last week from another Conference Premier club and he was on £750 a week, which is more than a lot of my players are on. I didn’t take the player for that reason.

“I won’t mention the club, but it wasn’t Bristol Rovers, Forest Green or anyone you’d connect with having a lot of money.

“Clubs talk a lot about finances, but I’m actually telling the truth!”

Right now Eastleigh have the important matter of Saturday’s home league game against Nuneaton Town to focus on and it’s unlikely that any of their injured players – James Constable, Jack Midson, Ben Wright and Jamie Turley - will be fit.

The quartet may well miss Kidderminster too, leaving defender Paul Reid as the last summer signing standing.

“We tried to improve the squad in the summer but the majority playing at the moment – and playing very well, I might add – were in the Conference South last season and the chances are the Kidderminster game will be too soon for a few (of the injured players),” said Hill.

To add to Eastleigh’s worries, Craig McAllister (ankle) and Jai Reason (knee) sat out training yesterday.

FA Cup fourth qualifying round, local ties (Saturday, October 25): Aldershot Town v Torquay Utd, Basingstoke Town v Harrow Borough, Canvey Island v Havant & Waterlooville, Dorchester Town v Bristol Rovers, Kidderminster Harriers v Eastleigh, Weymouth v Braintree Town, Willand Rovers v Gosport Borough or Maidenhead Utd.