Eastleigh chairman Roger Sherwood has spoken of his sadness after being rocked by a transfer request from goalkeeper Colin Matthews.

The 6ft 5in giant - signed for a record Wessex League fee of £10,000 from Newport IoW three summers ago - has been one of the mainstays of the club's dramatic rise to Ryman Premier Division prominence.

But his confidence has been sapped in the midst of an injury crisis that has left Eastleigh looking uncharacteristically shaky in defence. It was Matthews' failure to deal with a low cross that ultimately led to Eastleigh's FA Cup exit at home to Tiverton Town three weeks ago and the finger was pointed at him again in a heat-of-the-moment dressing room flare-up that followed last Saturday's FA Trophy defeat by St Albans.

Chairman Sherwood confirmed that it was with "great regret" that Eastleigh had accepted Matthews' transfer request.

Although there were a few eyebrows raised when the Ten Acres club forked out a five-figure fee for his services, Sherwood reckons the want-away keeper was worth every penny.

He said: "Colin's the best non-league goalkeeper I've ever seen. He's been fantastic for us and I'd love him to stay. He asked to be transfer-listed on Monday but I wanted to talk to him first. Sadly he said he wanted to leave, so we've reluctantly put him on the list. It's no good keeping him here if he's not happy."

Having stormed away from the ground straight after Saturday's match, Portsmouth-based Matthews was excused from training on Monday. Sherwood said: "Colin's very passionate about his football, but I'd have more of a problem with him if he wasn't.

"It's a sad day for Eastleigh Football Club that he wants to go because he's very highly rated. I know the supporters won't be happy. He's a big favourite with the crowd.

"To me, he's everything a non-league keeper should be. He's got size on his side and, okay, he may have a bit of a problem coming off his line, but if he didn't have something wrong with his game he'd be playing for England. And just look at some of the errors David James has made!"

Eastleigh, who beat off stiff competition from Havant & Waterlooville to sign Matthews, are convinced there will be no shortage of offers.

"He's a tremendous keeper," said Sherwood. "A fee will definitely be required ... a lot of people will be interested."