Eastleigh will round off their preparations for the new Vanarama National League season when they welcome Saints’ under-23s to the Silverlake Stadium tonight.

Ben Strevens’ team have their prestige summer friendly just days before the start of their league campaign which begins on Saturday with a visit from Notts County.

For Radhi Jaidi’s young Saints it is another chance to build fitness towards the opening of their Premier League 2 season.

It is also an opportunity for Saints to give local fans a chance to come along and watch some of the potential stars of the future in action.

First team boss Ralph Hasenhuttl has proved that he wants to promote young players into his side and has given a number of them increased opportunities during pre-season.

With Hasenhuttl having just one summer friendly left himself before Saints start the Premier League season away to Burnley on August 10, some of the young players who have figured with him thus far are expected to play at the Silverlake.

Hasenhuttl is keen to get as much game time as possible for players before the real action starts in earnest.

But with Saints looking to play their first choice team against FC Koln at St Mary’s on Saturday and then make a few second half changes, some of the youngsters who are on the fringes of involvement are unlikely to figure.

Therefore, they will be getting time with the under-23s under the guidance of Jaidi where they are set to play most of their football this season.

The match will be a seventh pre-season friendly for Eastleigh this summer.

They lost their last match away to National League South side Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday ended in defeat with goals from Roarie Deacon and Josh Taylor condemning them to a 2-0 loss.

It is a busy start to the season for Eastleigh who have five games in the space of the opening fortnight.

After opening up at home to Notts County they travel for a midweek game at Yeovil followed just days later by a gruelling trip to Barrow.

They are back at the Silverlake on August 13 to host Sutton United before another long journey to take on Stockport.

Kick-off for tonight’s game at the Silverlake Stadium is 7pm with tickets on the gate £10 for adults, £5 concessions, £3 under-18s and under-11s free.