Eastleigh boss Ian Baird admits he has taken "a bit of a gamble" by signing striker Jamie Slabber from Blue Square Bet South rivals Woking.

Slabber, 25, and Bath City centre-back Chris Holland are the first two summer signings to be unveiled at the Silverlake Stadium.

But while Holland comes with rave reviews from his old club, ex-Tottenham man Slabber has it all to do to prove himself.

At 6ft 2in and with proven ability demonstrated by England under-18 and under-19 caps, Baird believes Slabber "fits the bill for Eastleigh."

But the Spitfires boss admits that, after years plagued by injury, this is a "make or break move" for the well-travelled former Grays, Stevenage and Havant & Waterlooville frontrunner, who made one Premier League appearance as a substitute for Spurs against Liverpool in March 2003.

"He's got some good clubs on his CV and a good pedigree but, at 25, he needs to start fulfilling his potential," said Baird.

"I'm happy to have got him on the right money. It's a bit of a gamble, but sooner or later he's got to get over his injury woes."

*Full story in today's Southern Daily Echo.