Baird hoping loan move can help White with physical demands

By Wendy Gee - 

EASTLEIGH have loaned Andrew White to Blue Square Bet South rivals Dorchester Town in the hope that he will rediscover his goalscoring touch.

Like Richard Gillespie, who was last week loaned back to his old club Bashley, White has had a lean time of it in front of goal.

Since scoring three times in his first five games as a Spitfire - two of them away at Dorchester - he has found the net just twice - in the FA Cup at Cinderford in October and in last month's 3-1 league win at Farnborough.

White, a former Reading youngster, signed up as a full-time professional for Eastleigh during the summer following his release from npower League Town outfit Gillingham.

The 20-year-old made a big impact in pre-season but, according to manager Ian Baird, is still adapting to the rough and tumble of the BSB South.

"There's a big adjustment to be made for players coming into the Conference South. It's a completely different agenda," he said.

"This is a physical league and a totally different environment for kids coming out of academy football.

"It's miles apart from what they're used to and some kids can't adjust to it at all.

"Andrew needs to play some games and hopefully he'll get them at Dorchester. I wouldn't let him go there if they weren't going to play him."

With Ian Herring, Jamie Slabber and Danny Smith all available after suspension, Baird has a welcome selection headache for tomorrow's home game against Boreham Wood.

One of his biggest dilemmas will be whether to keep faith with utility man Jamie Brown - outstanding up top alongside Damian Scannell against Thurrock last week - or restore top gun Slabber to frontline duties.

"There's a slight hamstring doubt over Jamie, but knowing Browner he'll be fit," said Baird.

"Last week was one of those games when it all came together for him, but I have to say that since his unforced sabbatical last season, he has done ever so well in whatever position he's played."

Since landing sponsorship from Bridle Insurance, Eastleigh have been inundated with offers of new players.

But director of football Dave Malone has stressed that they will use the money wisely.

"People suddenly think we're some sort of gravy train and we've already had one player make outrageous demands," he said.

"But me and Bairdy will only pay what a player is worth and we won't be held to ransom.

"In Damian Scannell's case we did push the boat out because we believe he's exceptional, but people are wrong if they think we've got an open cheque book.

"With the January transfer window coming up there will be hundreds of players available, so we're not going to rush and sign people for the hell of it."