No more cash for boss Baird

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By Wendy Gee -

Ian BairdIAN Baird's hopes of boosting Eastleigh with another couple of summer signings have been dashed.

The Sptifires boss had hoped to add striker Staforde Palmer and left-sided defender/midfielder Toby Little, both from Hayes & Yeading, to his injury-hit squad, but has been told there is no more money available.

Baird, leads his side to north Devon today to face Truro City (tonight) and Leyton Orient (tomorrow) in the Joma South West Challenge Trophy.

But with Shaun McAuley, Peter Adeniyi, Anthony Riviere and goalkeeper Jason Matthews all out injured he is reduced to just ten fit senior players plus young guns Joe Maxwell, Chris Mason, Lewis Robinson and Alex Easton.

"We're in the same predicament as we were at the end of last season," said Baird, who saw injuries destroy the Spitfires' Blue Square South play-off dreams.

One of the key losses was frontman Palmer, who was on loan from Hayes & Yeading at the time and has now returned to Eastleigh on trial after regaining full fitness.

Unfortunately for Baird, however Palmer's promising performance in Saturday's 1-0 friendly defeat at Totton was all in vain.

"I'd like to sign Staforde and Toby Little as well, but I've been told that I won't be able to because of money," shrugged Baird after the game.

"I've said all along that if we can keep our nucleus of 14 players fit, we'll do OK.

"But in this day and age, keeping a small squad of 14 players fit is like standing on Niagra Falls without being blown over by the water.

"I'd like to have had a squad of 16 plus the youngsters."

Eastleigh were at least boosted by an assured debut from former QPR, Barnet and Grays wideman Richard Graham.

And Baird was also pleased with the midfield contribution of young midfielder Chris Mason, back from a loan spell at Bashley.

"Richard's got a good pedigree and Chris did very well today. He's come back from Bashley looking a different player," said the boss.

"On chances made, a draw would have been a fairer result against Totton. It could have been 5-5."

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