PAUL Sales, the man who powered Eastleigh into the Conference South two years ago, is wanted back by the Stoneham Lane club.

The Spitfires are in desperate need of cover for targetman Steve Watts, who is due to undergo a knee operation today.

And, having drawn a blank with John Hastings from MK Dons and Cambridge City's Michael Gash, they are now turning their attention to Sales, who left them to rejoin Salisbury City shortly after heading the winner in the 2004/5 Ryman play-off final against Leyton.

Having informally sounded out Salisbury about Sales's availability, Eastleigh will go back with a firm inquiry this week.

Southampton-based Sales, a regular starter for Salisbury last season, has made way for full-timer Robbie Matthews so far this term. He came off the bench in Whites' first two Blue Square Premier games against Droylsden and Ebbsfleet but was an unused substitute in Saturday's 4-1 home win over Crawley Town.

Football manager Paul Doswell confirmed: "Salesy would be ideal for us either as a loan or as a permanent move - we would take either.

"It's up to Salisbury to say yes or no, we can only ask the question.

"If the answer's yes, that would be ideal. Paul's the same sort of player as Steve Watts and would do a very similar job for us."

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