BEING deadly marksman Dean Saunders’ son is one good reason for Eastleigh to keep a close eye on Crewe’s Callum Saunders if he lines up against them in the FA Cup on Saturday (3pm).

Another is that the 20-year-old forward is the third cousin of Spitfires boss Chris Todd!

The first round draw has thrown up an unexpected family reunion for Todd whose father, Steve, is the cousin of ex-Liverpool, Aston Villa and Wales striker Dean, who now manages Chesterfield.

“I’ve never played at Crewe myself, but I’ve got a family connection there,” said Todd.

“I used to watch Dean play as a kid and I saw Callum grow up.

“Dean’s mother is my dad’s father’ sister.

“It’s a long time since I last saw Callum, but Dean I do know and I spoke to him two or three months ago.

“Callum’s come through the ranks at Crewe and I watched the DVD of them beating Sheffield United last Saturday and he did very well.”

Until beating the Blades 1-0, League One basement boys Crewe hadn’t won at home all season.

“It’s always the way,” said Todd. “They’d been struggling until Saturday and now they’ve had a good result.

“But it’s a great test for our lads and I’m feeling upbeat about it.”

For ambitious National League outfit Eastleigh , it will be their ever competitive game against a Football League club as they try to reach round two for only the second time in their history.

“We go into it as underdogs for once and we’ve got to try and show how good we are,” said Todd.

“Crewe are in League One for a reason and that makes them favourites, but we’ve got players who’ve played at League One and League Two level and it should be a good game. It’s a great opportunity for the club.”

One of the Spitfires' most experienced campaigners, ex-QPR winger Lee Cook, remains sidelined with shoulder problems and, worryingly for Eastleigh, top scorer James Constable picked up a problem in training.

“He’s nursing a bit of a shoulder/back injury,” Todd explained. “He was running and felt a twinge. Hopefully it’s only minor and he’ll be fine after a day’s rest.

Speedy wideman Matty Fanimo has a sore knee but is cup-tied in any case and should be raring to go for Tuesday’s league trip to Dover.

Jai Reason returns from a one-match suspension and skipper/centre-half Paul Reid is waiting to force his way back into the side after a long-term leg injury.

“Reidy’s had another week under his belt and he’s in contention to try and get a starting slot,” said Todd.

“He’s got to bide his time. The two lads (Will Evans and Jamie Turley) have done really well. There’s a bit of competition now which is what I was looking for.”