Baird can't afford to bring Adam back

By Wendy Gee -

EASTLEIGH have hit a financial brick wall in their efforts to bring Adam Everitt (pictured) back to Stoneham Lane.

The Spitfires lodged seven days' notice of approach for the 29-year-old Staines Town left-back, who had a spell at the Silverlake in 2007/08, but he was out of their price range.

"There's a very small amount of money available (for a new player) and I have made a number of enquiries, but the money these players are earning is way off our remit," revealed manager Ian Baird, whose sude entertain lower league Cinderford Town in the FA Cup second qualifying round tomorrow.

"We put in an approach for Adam Everitt but his wages are far too much for us."

Everitt made a gob-smacking return to the Silverlake Stadium with Staines last Saturday, catching keeper Gareth Barfoot out with an audacious 45-yard free kick with just six minutes gone.

Eastleigh hit back to win 2-1, but Baird feels his new-look side need extra muscle to climb away from the Blue Square Bet South danger zone.

Everitt's last spell at the Silverlake was not a great success, but the former Luton and Cambridge City man swept the board at the end-of-season awards for his last club St Albans City.

Baird said: "We had the 'London Massive' here when Adam was with us before and, from what I heard later, they didn't really like him.

"But I was interested in bringing Adam back because I feel we need someone who is aggressive and physical with a winning mentality."

Another ex-Eastleigh player on Baird's radar was strapping striker Robbie Matthews, who has just joined another of his old clubs, Salisbury City, on loan from Newport.

The Eastleigh boss also made enquiries about Bath City utility man Danny Webb - son of ex-Saints defender David - but, in both cases, a loan deal was financially out of their reach.

Only one of Eastleigh's current two loanees is available to face Cinderford.

Wideman Graeme Montgomery has got the all-clear to play from his parent club Aldershot Town, but the Shots do not want his clubmate Henrik Breimyr cup-tied. Teenager Billy Tsovolos is likely to take over at right-back.

Recent Eastleigh signing Shaun Wilkinson has work commitments for the next fortnight and there is a major doubt over frontman Andrew White (tweaked medial ligaments).

Three other Spitfires are also in the wars - skipper Tom Jordan (broken nose), Jamie Brown (ankle) and Richard Gillespie (ankle), but Baird hopes they will be fit to play.

Cinderford are fifth in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South & West and have so far seen off Fairford Town and Merthyr Town in the FA Cup - the latter after a replay.

Baird said: "This is a very big game for us and we'll be leaving no stone unturned to make sure we get a result."