HE was a Conference winner with Barnet and creates all manner of havoc with a throw longer than ex-Saint Rory Delap’s.

Small wonder that Eastleigh manager Martin Allen was so keen to link up again with the Spitfires’ latest signing Sam Muggleton.

The 21-year-old left-back/left-sided midfielder, son of the Spitfires’ new goalkeeping coach Carl Muggleton, moved into the Silverlake for an undisclosed fee this week.

“I first came across him at Notts County and he was a good asset with me at Gillingham,” said Allen.

“He came out of school having not played too much football before, but a lot of training and hard work has built him up physically and technically and he played a significant part in our championship-winning season at Barnet.

“His long throw is a great asset when it comes to winning games or if you’re chasing games. It’s unique. He throws further than Rory Delap.

“When we were closing in on the title and Eastleigh were closing in on the play-offs (in 2014/15), we played Sam left midfield against them and the ball spent most of the time in Eastleigh’s 18-yard box.

“Against Doncaster (in League Two), Barnet were 2-0 down and we put Sam on and scored twice from his long throws.

“He’s worked extremely hard to get where he is today and has improved with hard work and dedication.”

While Muggleton’s long throw could be the ace up Eastleigh’s sleeve away at Sutton United on Saturday, the Us will be hoping their 3G pitch and a healthy dose of FA Cup euphoria will sway the game in their favour.

Sutton won 3-1 at AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday to book a fourth round tie at home to Leeds United and Paul Doswell, the Us’ former Eastleigh manager, said: “No one likes playing on our pitch apart from us – and we are very, very good on it.”

Transfer-listed striker Ryan Bird could be the next Eastleigh player to the leave, following the departures of Joe Partington to Bristol Rovers and Luke Coulson to Barnet.

“Ryan is in talks with other clubs and something could happen in the next 48 hours,” said Allen.

Giant defender Ayo Obileye was transfer-listed at the same time as Bird, but fellow titan Reda Johnson is another two weeks away from fitness and Allen said: “Ayo’s come into the team, scored two goals and done very well. I need him at the moment.”

News of midfielder Jason Taylor is not good. He is due a hip operation tomorrow and will be out for the rest of the season.

Defender Gavin Hoyte faces a further month sidelined with a hamstring injury after going off early in the FA Cup at Brentford and Rotherham-based centre-back Ryan Cresswell is undergoing rehab at Sheffield United after knee surgery.

Goalkeeper Ryan Clarke is close to resuming full training again after an elbow problem and could be vying for selection within a fortnight.