TWO of the National League’s newest managers lock horns at the Silverlake Stadium on Saturday when Chris Todd’s Eastleigh take on FC Halifax Town.

For Todd it will be his seventh game at the Spitfires helm, including four as caretaker, while former Oldham boss Darren Kelly is preparing for his eighth game in charge of the Shaymen.

Todd has so far fared the better of the two, masterminding three huge league wins over Wrexham, Tranmere and Forest Green, a draw at Cheltenham and last Saturday’s 2-1 FA Cup success at Bromley which booked a trip to Crewe Alexandra next Saturday.

Kelly, who took over at The Shay in the wake of Neil Aspin’s departure, was always likely to have a tougher task on his hands reviving a Halifax side that had banked a paltry five points from their opening ten fixtures.

But although the Shaymen are just five points better off now and sit one off the foot of the table, they gave themselves a giant shot in the arm on Tuesday, winning their FA Cup fourth qualifying round replay 2-1 at Guiseley.

“Halifax have turned the corner under their new manager and will come to us full of confidence after a good result in the Cup," warned Todd.

“Their players have got a new lease of life and I guess they’re trying to impress him a bit like our lads have been trying to impress me.

“It’s a tough league, whether you’re playing a team at the top or a team at the bottom, and if you’re not up for a battle you could get a punch on the nose. But if we play as we know we can do, we’re capable of winning football matches.”

The Spitfires have mixed news on the injury front.

Skipper Paul Reid is fit after nearly two months out with a leg injury, but set-piece maestro Lee Cook was seeing a specialist today about a long-term shoulder problem.

Welcoming defensive hardman Reid back into the fold, Todd said: “He played for the first time with physical contact in training today and came through with flying colours. It’s good news. He’s an experienced player and very valuable for the squad.

“But Lee Cook is struggling. He’s been carrying a shoulder injury since he came to the club and we’re doing everything we can to get it right.

“He had a jab to make it better, which it did, but he’s in a lot of pain again and we’ve taken him to see a specialist - not just for the club’s sake, but for Lee’s own health. The club are doing everything in their power to help him just as they would for any other player.”

Todd, meanwhile, is looking forward to facing League One basement boys Crewe as he seeks to steer Eastleigh into round two of the FA Cup for a second season running.

It will be the Spitfires’ first competitive game against Football League opposition and, despite Crewe’s troubles, Todd insists The Alex are favourites.

“We’re two leagues below them and Crewe are in League One for a reason,” he said. “It’s a tasty draw and a game we can go to as underdogs for once.”