JACK Payne, whose arrival at Eastleigh has coincided with a five-match unbeaten streak, will be returning to his parent club Ebbsfleet United next week after being recalled.

The 26-year-old midfielder’s loan deal is up following Saturday's trip to rock-bottom Braintree Town, where the Spitfires will be chasing a fourth straight National League win.

“In the five games Jack’s been here, we’ve been unbeaten. That’s not all down to Jack, but he’s helped,” said manager Andy Hessenthaler.

“I knew what he’d bring when we signed him and he’s added that to the squad, but he’s not our player, he’s Ebbsfleet’s and we thank them for their help."

“I’m not 100 per cent sure Jack will play on Saturday, I’ve got to stay true to the players under contract," Hessenthaler added.

"We’re getting the squad back together now and we’ve got plenty of midfield competition with Mark Yeates, Oscar Gobern, Cav Miley and Danny Hollands.

“There’s also young Tom Bearwish who’s been out on loan at Totton. He’s impressed in training and he’s knocking on the door. We want to get him close to us like we’ve done with Ollie Dennett."

Bearwish scored one and Ben Williamson two in a behind-closed-doors 3-3 door at Gillingham this week.

The youngster has played mainly as a striker thus far, but Hessenthaler believes his future lies in midfield or out wide.

“He’s strong in the tackle, comfortable on the ball and has got strong attributes,” said the boss.

Eastleigh’s other loan player, Bristol City midfielder George Dowling, may also be heading back to his parent club.

His deal is not due to expire until January but, having sat out several weeks with a glute problem, he now has a fractured wrist.

“He did it during a boxing fitness session. He’s back in Bristol now and he may need an operation,” Hessenthaler explained.

“Boxing sessions are good for fitness levels, but George has been a bit unfortunate. We’ve got to have a conservation with Bristol, but he may go back because it’s going to get frustrating for him.”

With just six points to their name this season, Braintree are having a tough time of it.

But Hessenthaler warned: “We can’t be complacent just because we’re playing the bottom team. To me that makes it even harder because they’re fighting for their lives.

“It’s never been an easy place to go pitch-wise, but we won’t change our philosophy.

"We’ve won three on the bounce and we believe we can make it four.”