Appiah on board

By Wendy Gee  

EASTLEIGH have made a fourth addition to their new-look squad - with a fifth due in next week.

Manager Ian Baird was last night tying up a deal to bring midfielder Philip Appiah to the Silverlake Stadium from Blue Square Bet South rivals Farnborough.

Philip Appiah
Philip Appiah
And he is next week confident of signing Aldershot striker Bradley Bubb on loan for the rest of the season once the Grenada international's loan deal with Basingtoke Town has expired.

Appiah, a former Preston North End trainee, followed manager Garry Haylock to Farnborough from Hayes & Yeading during the summer but has fallen out of favour since Haylock's departure from Cherrywood Road.

Born in Toronto, he has been part of the Canada under-23 Olynpic team. Appiah should be available for selection tomorrow as 11th-placed Eastleigh hit the road to Dover Athletic, looking to return to winning ways after Boxing Day's 0-0 stalemate at Havant & Waterlooville.

Baird said: "At 22, Philip's the right age for us. He fits in with what we are trying to do in the short and long term.

"I've tried to sign him before but haven't been able to get him for some reason.

"I saw quite a bit of him at Hayes & Yeading. When he played against us for Farnborough earlier this season I felt he was the best player in their side. He's a similar sort of player to (ex-Spitfire) Anthony Riviere.

"We haven't paid a fee for him, he was non-contract at Farnborough."

London-based Appiah is Eastleigh's fourth new recruit since the club's imminent majority shareholders Bridle Insurance weighed in with generous sponsorship.

He follows Damian Scannell, Scott Rogers and Mitchell Nelson into Baird's evolving squad, which will be at full strength to face sixth-placed Dover.

Clarifying the Bubb deal, Baird said: "It will be done next week. I've agreed it with Deano (Shots manager Dean Holdsworth) and the two secretaries have spoken."

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