EASTLEIGH have made in excess of 20 signings since the summer – yet they only have 15 players fit and available for Saturday's (3pm) FA Cup third round tie at Championship outfit Brentford.

In what has proved an unexpectedly turbulent season, Martin Allen is the third manager to have taken charge of the National League club and, like his predecessor Ronnie Moore, injuries have not been kind to him.

Giant defender Reda Johnson, the latest name on the casualty list, faces another three weeks out with a hamstring issue, writes Wendy Gee.

Fellow centre-back Ryan Cresswell is still on the long road to recovery following a knee operation and, though midfielder Jason Taylor’s stomach problems are improving, his hip injury remains a concern. Should Taylor need an operation, he would miss the rest of the season.

Throw Joe Partington’s suspension into the mix and the fact that Bondz N’Gala, loanee Tyler Garratt, Ross Stearn and young quartet Tony Lee, Jack Masterton, Jack Smith and James Granger are all cup-tied, and former Bees boss Allen is not exactly overloaded with options for his return to Griffin Park.

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke remains on the long-term wounded list with an elbow problem, but international clearance is through for former Barnet No1 Graham Stack, the Spitfires' new player/goalkeeping coach.

Two Spitfires have left the building this week.

Ex-Luton Town wideman Jake Howells has severed ties with the Eastleigh by mutual consent, while Welsh midfielder/full-back David Pipe is returning to his old club Newport County on loan for the rest of the season.

Howells is currently out injured and Allen explained: “He’s been travelling a long way from his home in Essex, so he’s settled his contract with the chairman. He’s a lovely lad and a good player. He'll be back from injury in three weeks."

Experienced campaigner Pipe might have been a useful body on the bench at Brentford, but Allen said: “We’ve got enough cover. We can only use three subs, so that’s all we need.

“We had a phone call for Pipey to go on loan to Newport and he only lives five minutes away.

“He wasn’t going to be starting for us, so we had a chat and felt it best to give him the opportunity to be at his local club.

“He’s been brilliant since I’ve been here, helping me. He’s a great lad.

“We’re going to miss him, but we’ve brought players in that can play in those positions so I thought that was worthwhile.”

While Saturday will be the first time Allen has returned to Brentford as a manager, he has been back to Griffin Park as a spectator since ending his highly successful two-year reign in May 2006.

"It's magical going back," he said. "As soon as you park the car, you meet people in the street and the ticket office and they all want to shake your hand. Everyone comes over to share a memory or a story."