EASTLEIGH have missed out on the signing of highly-rated midfielder Elliott Whitehouse from Nuneaton Town – and could find themselves facing him at Lincoln City on Saturday in the Vanarama National League.

The Imps today announced they had captured Whitehouse for an undisclosed fee after the England C man passed a medical at Sincil Bank and agreed personal terms earlier this week.

“I wouldn’t say they've beaten us to signing him, but there has been interest from us,” said Spitfires boss Ronnie Moore.

“He’s a player we like but, at the end of the day, it’s his choice where he wants to go. It’s just strange he’ll make his debut against us.”

It’s the second time this week Eastleigh have failed to land a potential target, having missed out on Hampton & Richmond striker Jamal Lowe.

Indications from Lowe's agent suggest he is heading for a League Two club and, in Whitehouse's case, Moore reckons geography played a part in the 22-year-old South Yorkshire-based midfielder choosing Lincoln.

“That would probably have been the biggest influence for him,” he said. “Both clubs are vying for a top-five spot and, if the lad was from Southampton, I dare say he’d have come to us.

“But we’ll carry on looking. We’re always after good players who can add quality to what we’ve got. It puts pressure on the lads already to here to run their hearts out and say ‘hey, I love it here, I ain’t going anywhere.’”

Moore watched third-placed Lincoln join eighth-placed Eastleigh in the FA Cup first round proper with a 2-1 replay win at Guiseley on Tuesday.

“They’re geared up to go into the Football League like we are,” he said. “They’ve got a fantastic ground, their supporters are good and Dan (manager Danny Cowley) knows this league well after a fantastic season with Braintree.

“I believe we’ve got the better team, but it’s alright me believing that – we’ve got to prove it!”

Wideman Jake Howells has trained this week, but midfielder Andy Drury is a doubt due to sickness and a tight calf.

As usual, Eastleigh’s other injury concerns are in the centre-back department.

Skipper Ryan Cresswell is okay after another calf scare, but Adam Dugdale remains sidelined and Reda Johnson is still feeling soreness in his knee after going off at half-time against North Leigh.

Connor Essam is on the mend from a twisted ankle, but won’t be risked. If there is still concern about him ahead of Tuesday's home game against Torquay, Moore will recall Ayo Obileye from loan at Dover.

He said: “We don’t know about Reda and Drury yet for Saturday. They’ll travel and we’ll leave it late to give them a chance.”