SAM Togwell will wear the Eastleigh captain's armband for the rest of the season.

Joe Partington's departure to Bristol Rovers left the Spitfires looking for a new skipper and, in 32-year-old defensive midfielder Togwell, manager Martin Allen believes he has the perfect man for the job.

Togwell, who followed Allen down from Barnet, has a wealth of experience behind him with Barnsley, Scunthorpe and Chester.

"Sam's very well respected in the dressing room, he has a very good work ethic and he's a champion at this level," said Allen.

"He had a hernia operation before he came here and it's taken him a couple of games to get up to full speed.

"But he was very good against Forest Green and he'll be a very good captain for the rest of the season."

Meanwhile, the Spitfires have signed a new winger following the sale of Luke Coulson to Barnet for a club record fee.

Allen will take a look at former Wolves wideman Mekhi Leacock-McLeod from now until the end of the season.

The 20-year-old, who started out at Fulham, spent two years with Wolves.

Following a successful trial north of the border, he signed for Glasgow Rangers, but things didn’t work out and he dropped into non-League after returning south with Ware and VCD Athletic.

Allen said: “I’ve signed a young lad, a little winger, until the end of the season on a bit of a trial basis.

“He’s quick, he plays left wing or he can play up front or cut in from the right.

“We’ll give him a try. I think we need a bit more pace, a bit more quality.”

Allen will also be drafting in a couple of home-grown youngsters to train with the first-team squad.

Seventeen-year-old forward Tom Bearwish, who has been dual-signed with Sydenhams Premier high-fliers Portland United, has earned rave reviews from the Spitfires' head of youth Lee Peacock.

So too has young Owen Fee, who has turned out 26 times this season for Totton & Eling of Sydenhams One.