Rose gets Spitfires chance

By Wendy Gee -

EASTLEIGH are running the rule over former AFC Bournemouth defender Jordan Rose following his release from Stockport County.

Rose started his career as a 12-year-old at Saints before moving with his family to France where he played youth football for Stade Malherbe Caen.

On returning to England, he completed a two-year scholarship with the Cherries and then did the non-League rounds with Salisbury, Bashley, Brockenhurst, Weymouth, Paulton Rovers and Bath City.

He joined Stockport last July, via the Nike Academy, but was one of 11 players released by County following relegation from npower League Two – and that despite being named young player-of-the-year at Edgeley Park.

Rose, 21, played in central midfield and then in central defence for Eastleigh in Saturday’s 4-0 friendly win at Romsey Town.

Manager Ian Baird said: “We’re looking at Jordan and he’s looking at us. We haven’t talked money but he’s the kind of person we’d like to bring in as a full-time player.”

Rose is expected to play again in Wednesday’s friendly at Weymouth (7.45pm).

Young striker Sam Wilson who, along with Ben Wilson and Liam Hibberd, is one of three home-grown Eastleigh youngsters set to sign full-time terms – again impressed up front, opening the scoring with a header and then striking from the penalty spot.

Also on target were trialist Adam Murray, a versatile attacking player formerly of Reading who scored a hat-trick for the Spitfires reserves against Totton & Eling last week, and reserve team graduate Liam Robinson who works in Eastleigh’s football in the community department.

Eastleigh are also sizing up Billy Tsovolos, an Australian centre-half or full-back currently on Portsmouth’s books.

A very young Eastleigh side, managed by reserve boss Darren Waterman, lost 5-1 at Evo-Stik Southern South & West side North Leigh on Saturday.