SKIPPER Paul Reid is touch and go for unbeaten Eastleigh’s 300-mile hike to Barrow on Saturday in the Vanarama National League.

For 180 excruciating minutes, the 33-year-old former Barnsley centre-back has gritted his teeth and played through the pain barrier with a large gouge and heavy bruising above his right ankle.

But manager Richard Hill admits he winced when he saw the injury after Monday’s 3-2 home win over Torquay which hoisted the Spitfires up to second.

Reid missed training today and Hill, who also has a doubt over five-goal top scorer James Constable (sore ankle), will not take any risks so early in the campaign.

He said: “I’ll see what Cooky (physio Andy Cook) says over the next day or so. It’s different asking lads to play with injuries at this stage than it is at the end of the season.

“Reidy did it in the first minute at Aldershot last Saturday and played on.

“They strapped it all up for him to play on Monday but he couldn’t wait to get off the pitch at the end and take off his boot and sock. I was talking to the lads, looked round and saw him putting ice on it and thought: ‘Crikey, you’ve got to be careful with that.’ "

Having taken a three-goal lead against Torquay, Eastleigh wilted under a barrage of long throws from the Gulls' giant centre-back Exodus Geohaghon, but managed to hold on for three precious points.

“The lads were tired,” said Hill. “We’ve had to play to our maximum in two games over a short space of time and we’ve got a centre-half hobbling around the pitch with a hole in his leg who won’t come off!

“We’ll see how Reidy is. If I pick a team without him in it, he’s not happy, but he accepts it because I’m the manager.”

Having come through August unbeaten, Eastleigh now embark on a testing set of September fixtures in which their two home games – Gateshead (Sept 12) and Dover (Sept 22) - are outnumbered by trips to Barrow, Altrincham, Chester and Wrexham.

“It’s a tough month, but I’m sure October, November and December will be just as tough if we’re at the right end of the table,” said Hill.

“We’ve got a bit of travelling to do, but we enjoy it. The lads are all good around each other and comfortable in each other’s company, so it’s not an issue.

“You can't go through the season without losing, but it would be nice to keep the unbeaten run going through September if we can.”

Barrow, newly-promoted Conference North champions, are 18th with seven points from as many games.

Hill said: “I once played at Barrow for Nuneaton Borough and I think we won 2-0.

“Where they are geographically must be worth at least 15 points a season to them.

“We’re playing a team who’ve got a bit of momentum from promotion and we know from our own experience that that momentum carries you through.

“It’s going to be tough, but if we can start brightly we’ve got a chance.”

Hill made no additional signings prior to the transfer window closing, but said: “The loan window opens on Tuesday and if we need to go and get someone because of injuries, we will, but I’m in no rush at the moment.”