JAMES Constable’s misfortune has given Eastleigh even more determination to force their way into the Vanarama National League play-offs.

“Not only are we doing it for ourselves, we’re doing it for Beano,” said Spitfires boss Chris Todd, who suspects his top scorer will be sidelined for the rest of the season.

Constable had his appendix removed at the weekend, ruling him out of tomorrow's trip to FA Trophy finalists FC Halifax Town – Eastleigh’s game in hand on fifth-placed Braintree - plus Saturday’s home clash with play-off rivals Tranmere and the season’s finale at Woking on Saturday week.

Whether the combative 31-year-old could make a rapid recovery in time for the play-offs, should Eastleigh get there, remains to be seen, but Todd insists the player’s well-being comes first.

“I spoke to Beano on Sunday and he’s gutted, as you can imagine,” said the boss.

“Obviously it’s disappointing to lose our top scorer, but there’s nothing you can do, it happens. His health is the most important thing.

“You never know, he could be back if we get into the play-offs, but to pressure the lad would be crazy.

“He may recover quickly, some people do, but first and foremost he’s got to get himself right.

“As much as we wish Beano well, he wishes us well too.

“The first thing he did before his operation was send everyone a text wishing them all the best.”

Ex-Oxford United man Constable is far and away Eastleigh’s top scorer with 18 goals in all competitions – 15 of them in the league.

But the Spitfires possess quality in abundance and head to Halifax buoyed by an eight-game unbeaten run.

“We’ve got good players and we’ll have Ross Lafayette back (from loan at Aldershot) for the last game of the season,” said Todd. “We just have to get on with it.”

Halifax’s FA Trophy heroics have not been matched in the league.

Jim Harvey’s Shaymen are labouring fourth-to-bottom and still have it all to do to secure their top-flight future.

On Saturday they were the unfortunate guests at Cheltenham’s title-winning party, losing 2-0 as the Robins secured their return ticket to the Football League at the aptly named World of Smile Stadium.

The shot-shy Shaymen have gone three games without a goal, with Harvey admitting: “We don’t even look like scoring, we’re just firing blanks at the moment.”

But, irrespective of Halifax’s lean spell, Todd expects a mighty midweek battle at The Shay where a win would send Eastleigh fifth, two points clear of Braintree with two fixtures remaining.

“All games are hard, it doesn’t matter who we’re up against,” he stressed.

“We’ll do everything in our power to keep the dream alive.”

Midfielder Josh Payne is another Spitfires absentee, sitting out the third of a three-match ban.