IT says much about Graham Stack’s commitment to the Eastleigh cause that he had been playing through the pain barrier.

The former Barnet goalkeeper picked up an elbow injury earlier this month but waited until the Spitfires had assured themselves of National League safety against Bromley on Easter Monday before taking a rest.

With young Portsmouth loanee goalkeeper Nick Hall also injured, Eastleigh signed Derby County's Josh Barnes on an emergency loan and threw him straight in at Solihull Moors last weekend.

The former Aston Villa youngster, who penned his first professional contract in May last year, will be back in goal on Saturday when the Spitfires round of a testing season at home to Wrexham.

Eastleigh disappointed in their 2-0 defeat at Solihull, but boss Richard Hill reserved words of praise for the injured Stack.

The former Barnet man established himself as Spitfires’ No1 during a crucial spell in March when ten points out of a possible 12 were gathered. The club subsequently released former AFC Wimbledon and Oxford United stopper Ryan Clarke by mutual consent.

"I've been blasted on fans' forums with regard to the goalkeeping situation at the club, but Graham Stack has played the last two weeks injured,” Hill pointed out.

“He had a jab in his elbow before North Ferriby and Bromley and I take my hat off to him for that.

“He's contributed massively and carried on playing when others might not have.

“If Stack had played against Solihull and got injured, it could have put him out for the start of next season."

Although Hill’s hands have been tied to a certain extent by inheriting players on long contracts, Stack – who has another two seasons to run on his deal – is someone he has long rated.

“When Barnet won the Conference, for me it was between Stack and (former Eastleigh man) Ross Flitney for the best ’keeper in the league,” he said.

“With a strong defence in front of him, I think Stack would be viewed as a good goalkeeper.”

Eastleigh are currently 14th in the table. Victory tomorrow would leapfrog them above Wrexham who are a point and a place above them with an inferior goal difference.

The club's new state-of-the-art, two-storey clubhouse complex will be available to fans tomorrow before the official opening on Tuesday.