EASTLEIGH bright spark Yemi Odubade will be sidelined for four to six weeks with a hamstring injury sustained against Bolton Wanderers last weekend.

It means the 31-year-old forward will miss some pivotal games – starting with Saturday's FA Trophy showdown against his old club Gateshead at the Silverlake and Tuesday’s huge FA Cup third round replay at Wanderers’ Macron Stadium.

Odubade caused Bolton no end of headaches bombing down the right before pulling up on the rain-sodden surface with just over half an hour gone.

His replacement, Kaid Mohamed, impressed on his debut but he won't feature either on Saturday having played in the Trophy for Bath City.

Asked if the Silverlake quagmire had contributed to Odubade’s injury, manager Chris Todd said: “It’s hard to tell. Our pitch wasn’t great, but a hamstring can go at any point on any type of ground.

"I think he’s got a little tear in it, but it’s at the side so it’s not as bad as it could be.

“It’s disappointing for Yemi – he was causing Bolton murders – but he’s a good character and he'll get himself fit.”

Defender Jamie Turley, back from long-term injury, played the whole 90 minutes at Winchester City on Tuesday as part of a mixed Spitfires side beaten 2-1 in the Hampshire FA Senior Cup.

Lee Peacock, head of youth, took the team but Todd was there watching and said: “It was good to see Turls on the pitch again. He needed to get the rust off and he’s ready for Saturday now.

“Although we lost, it was very pleasing. I took the more experienced lads off towards the end and left the youngsters on and we conceded late.

"But the exercise was about match fitness and giving the youngsters – like 16-year-old Ollie Griggs – the experience of playing alongside first-team players.

“It's great we’ve got these youngsters coming through. Who knows if can produce something.”

Given the magnitude of the Bolton game, Todd will be wary of picking up any more injuries in the Trophy second round. But he is taking the competition seriously and that will be reflected in the side he picks.

“It doesn’t matter what team we put out, they’re all very good players,” he said. “A few lads who haven’t played lately will need game time, but that doesn’t make us any weaker or stronger. It’s a game we’re looking to try and win.”

Gateshead’s September league visit was a game for Eastleigh to forget. It was meant to be a third anniversary celebration for Todd’s predecessor Richard Hill, but ended in a bizarre 2-1 defeat which saw on-loan keeper Michael Poke bow out injured and midfielder Ben Strevens red-carded at half-time.

The Tynesiders - tenth in the National League, seven points behind fifth-placed Eastleigh - have loaned Middlesbrough defender Andre Bennett for a month.

Admission on Saturday is £10 adults, £5 concessions.