MAIN marksman James Constable appears to be the only one of Eastleigh’s walking wounded who stands a chance of playing at Lincoln City on Saturday.

Earlier in the week manager Chris Todd had been optimistic of defender Joe Partington being fit for the trip to Sincil Bank.

But, regretfully, the rampaging right-back looks like sitting the game out as fourth-placed Eastleigh bid to extend their unbeaten away league record under Todd and get back to winning ways after four successive Vanarama National draws.

So too does skipper/centre-back Paul Reid, who tweaked a groin at Boreham Wood and missed last week’s 1-1 home stalemate with Wrexham which saw Partington bow out at half-time with a quad strain.

Constable is faring the best of the three having missed two games with a thigh problem, but even he is not 100 per cent certain of playing.

“Beano trained yesterday and is potentially okay for Saturday, but we’ll see how he is today,” said a cautious Todd.

“If he’s not feeling it, he’ll be good to go, but he’s our main goal scorer and if he’s going to play he has to be right.

“I don’t think Joe will be right for Saturday. He’s not done anything all week, he’s just been with the physio.

“He was flying in the first half against Wrexham, but then he got a feeling in his thigh and we’re having to be cautious with him because we don’t want to lose him. You can get players through games, but the consequences can be critical.

“Reidy’s not fit either, so the squad’s looking quite thin for what will be a tough test at Lincoln.

“But we had a good training session today and the lads were full of confidence. Everyone looks very fresh after the (Bromley) game was called off on Tuesday.”

Fresh was probably the last thing Todd, chairman Stewart Donald and chief exec Mark Jewell were feeling after an exhausting transfer deadline day on Monday.

Having worked tirelessly to try and sign a striker, they finally aborted the mission at about 10.30pm.

“I know now why managers up and down the country complain about the transfer window every year – the targets you have become double the price just because of the month,” said rookie boss Todd, who is just four months into his first managerial post.

“It’s been an eventful rollercoaster ride, a real eye-opener, but you live and learn and I'm sure I’ll learn for next season.

“But we mustn’t forget that we made three very good signings in January – a top 'keeper in Michael Poke, a hot, young prospect in Luke Coulson and Kaid Mohamed who seems to have been here for years rather than just a couple off weeks. Kaid’s got a lot of pedigree and he’ll get better and better."

With the loan window opening again on Tuesday, Todd confirmed that Portsmouth’s Matt Tubbs and Luton Town’s experienced campaigner Paul Benson remain possible strike targets, adding: “You never know, we may go elsewhere as well."

Lincoln, who ended a winless run of 11 games with a 1-0 result over Guiseley last week, have welcomed in loan wingers George Maris (Barnsley) and James Caton (Shrewsbury) and signed defender Jamie McCombe following his release from Stevenage.