Baird brings in a new loan ranger

By Wendy Gee -

EASTLEIGH have replaced one loan striker with another ahead of tomorrow's Blue Square Bet South trip to Maidenhead United.

Justin Bennett has returned to Gosport Borough after completing a month with the Silverlake Stadium club.

Taking his place is the experienced AFC Wimbledon frontman Mark Nwokeji who, as a former England schoolboy 200 metres champion, is guaranteed to add a bit of pace to the side.

Born in Stockport, 29-year-old Nwokeji began his career playing youth football with Charlton and Colchester.

He rose to non-League prominence with Staines Town where his 46 goals in 75 appearances caught the attention of Dagenham & Redbridge, who signed him in 2008.

A cruciate ligament injury sidelined him for nine months after which he went on loan to Luton Town.

Wimbledon signed him in June last year, but Nwokeji has been kept out by the form of Danny Kedwell whose goals have helped fire the Dons to the top of the Blue Square Bet Premier.

"We need to freshen things up a bit and Mark comes with a good pedigree," said Baird.

"I've had conversations with eight Football League clubs this week and been offered player right, left and centre, but the pre-requisite is that they want them to play."

Bennett was restricted to just seven substitute appearances during his month at Eastleigh and failed to get a goal.

But he was instantly back on the scoresheet for Gosport on Tuesday - albeit in a hefty 5-2 defeat at AFC Totton.

"We had an agreement that after the first month we would re-do Justin's loan deal so that we would be available for the play-offs," said Baird. "Two seasons ago we lost Jonny Dixon for the play-offs because you're not allowed to go over the 93-day loan period.

"But I spoke to (Gosport manager) Alex Pike and he wanted to recall him and Justin himself felt he needed to play.

"Justin's been a bit unfortunate because we've been playing with one up front and because of Jamie Slabber's good form. I tried to get Justin as much time as I could, but I couldn't drop Slabber. Just because you take a striker on loan doesn't give him a divine right to play.

"I notice fans have gone on our website saying they'd rather have an Eastleigh academy player that a loan player on the bench, but that's ridiculous."

Baird did, however, hint that Nwokeji could feature tomorrow as the play-off chasing Spitfires bit to get their play-off train back on track after home defeats by Braintree and Dover.

The Eastleigh boss also brought in a second loan signing yesterday in 18-year-old Portsmouth utility player Peter Gregory, who plays either right back or central midfield.

With midfielder Danny Smith (hamstring) out for three to four weeks, Luke Byles and Warren Goodhind still injured and Richard Gillespie (hip) and Anthony Riviere (ankle) struggling, personnel could dictate a change of formation.

Opponents Maidenhead are on a dismal run of nine league games without a win, leaving them third to bottom.

MARK NWOKEJI