Eastleigh manager Richard Hill has thanked Saints for their help during the wet spell.

The Spitfires are hoping to play their first game for three weeks against Havant & Waterlooville tomorrow.

But at least they have been able to train in that time thanks to their relationship with their Premier League neighbours.

Manager Richard Hill said: “Last week we were unable to use our 3G pitch so I rang [Saints Under 21 manager] Martin Hunter and he allowed us to use their artificial surface, which was a fantastic gesture.

Southampton were very welcoming, we were able to use their facilities for a couple of hours which was a big help to us.”

Hill is now hoping Eastleigh get to play against Lee Bradbury’s Hawks – his first local derby as manager of the Spitfires. Former Havant & Waterlooville striker Richard Pacquette is in contention for his Eastleigh debut after signing earlier this month.

Hill said: “This is a well-known non-league derby and although it’s my first with Eastleigh I know what to expect having experienced Northampton v Peterborough, Wycombe v Brentford and Gillingham v Millwall – the ‘A2 derby’ – with my previous clubs.

“For the people involved it will be just as important as Liverpool v Everton and the Manchester derby.

Read the rest of this story and more non-league football in today's Daily Echo