EASTLEIGH'S opening day National League hosts Southport have signed highly-rated Canadian-born goalkeeper Jon Viscosi who spent the close season training with ex-Saint Bruce Grobbelaar.

The 6ft 2in, 24-year-old, who was previously on the books of league rivals Chester, arrived back in the UK in June.

Prior to that Viscosi had been put through his paces by Liverpool legend Grobbelaar back in his native Canada where the 57-year-old South African is now based.

The Sandgrounders, meanwhile, have been dealt a major blow ahead of the new campaign.

Paul Smith, their 23-year-old former Chester City and Barrow AFC defender, will miss the whole of the season with a foot injury sustained after just three seconds away at Altrincham last term.

Eastleigh kick off the season at Southport this Saturday before entertaining newly-promoted Boreham Wood at the Silverlake on Tuesday (7.45pm).