EASTLEIGH will be without top scorer James Constable and speedy new signing Matty Fanimo as they begin their Emirates FA Cup journey in the fourth qualifying round at Bromley on Saturday.

Constable sits out the last of a three-match ban while pacy ex-West Ham winger Fanimo, who impressed coming off the bench in the 1-1 draw at Cheltenham last weekend, is cup-tied.

Frustratingly for Eastleigh, Fanimo went on as a 56th-minute substitute for his previous club Bishop’s Stortford when they fell at the first Cup hurdle, beaten 2-0 by Sutton in the second qualifying round.

“It’s a shame Matty’s not available,” admitted Spitfires boss Chris Todd.

“He gives us something different. He came off the bench at Cheltenham and changed the complexion of the game.”

With skipper Paul Reid close, but not quite close enough, to returning from a leg injury, Todd is likely to include young duo Tony Lee and Jack Alexander among his seven substitutes for the all-National League clash at Hayes Lane.

The pair have dual-signed for Southern League neighbours AFC Totton and striker Lee quickly made his mark for the Stags with a Red Insure Cup hat-trick against Bashley on Tuesday.

Given the pedigree of Eastleigh’s squad and the club’s hunger for Football League status, opportunities have been hard to come by for young players on the National League journey so far.

But Todd will not close the door on youth.

“It was brilliant for Tony to get a hat-trick for Totton. He’s an exciting talent and he needs to play games,” he said.

“He’s come through our youth ranks, he’s hungry and he’ll probably be on the bench tomorrow.

“Matty Fanimo’s a gamble, he’s only 21, so I am willing to give young players a chance if they’re good enough. I’m not going to be a person to say ‘no’ if players are doing the business for the youth and reserve teams.”

Under Todd’s predecessor Richard Hill, Eastleigh ousted Kidderminster and Lincoln to reach the FA Cup second round proper for the first time in club history last season, eventually bowing out 2-1 at Southport.

Standing in their way tomorrow are a Bromley side who succeeded them as Conference South champions last term. And, in 13-goal ex-Eastleigh striker Moses Emmanuel (formerly Ademola), the Ravens boast the National League’s top scorer.

Signed for the Spitfires by Ian Baird in the summer of 2012, Emmanuel was sold by Hill to Dover shortly before Todd arrived at Stoneham Lane.

“He left about two weeks before I turned up,” said Todd. “All credit to the lad for showing the commitment after getting released by Eastleigh and kicking on again. We know what he’s about and we’ll be doing all we can to nullify him.

“We had a massive win at Bromley towards the back end of the season we got promoted and Saturday will be all about which team wants it most.”

Eastleigh’s experienced midfielder Ben Strevens has joined the coaching staff and will act as what Todd calls a “bounce board” between the players and management. “Every team needs that link and Strevs is someone I respect,” said the boss.