MUCH as Poole Town boss Tommy Killick hates the thought of losing Danny Woods to Eastleigh next season, he admits the midfield hardman would be doing the right thing by returning to the Sparshatts Stadium.

When Eastleigh manager Paul Doswell paid Bournemouth Poppies a four-figure fee for Woods's services three summers ago, he hailed him as "my big signing."

But though the tenacious ball-winner quickly made an impact down Stoneham Lane, his career was cut short first by injury and then for work and personal reasons and he ended up dropping back into the Wessex League with Wimborne and then Poole.

Woods, though, is ready to chance his arm at a higher level again and has been invited back for pre-season training by Eastleigh as they prepare to tackle the Nationwide Conference South.

Killick said: "I think Danny's really enjoyed his time at Poole, but he wants to try and make a go of it again with Eastleigh and I hope it comes off for him.

"He played for us and Wimborne last season and I think it's hit home that he'd be better off playing at a higher level again. I remember his first game for us was Hythe away and, to be honest, I thought he'd never come back again.

"But he used his time at Poole to get himself fit and I think he'll go back to Eastleigh now and do well for them.

"If things don't work out, he's always welcome to come back to us. Harnessing him with Taffy Richardson in the Wessex 1 next season would be quite a partnership!"