EASTLEIGH manager Richard Hill insists his side needs to "put on a performance" despite an injury crisis to advance to the next round of the FA Cup.

The Spitfires have been training with reduced numbers due to injury problems ahead of facing Boreham Wood in the first round for the third season in a row.

Speaking to Eastleigh's club media ahead of hosting Boreham Wood, Hill said: “We have had to work hard. 

"We have been a bit thin on the ground with training numbers - we have only had 14 players this week. Lee Hodson came into training at the back end of this week.

“He is the only one who will be coming back into the squad for selection. Other than that the squad is still very thin with injuries and now the competition has gone to the first round proper.

“We can now have nine subs rather than the seven in the last round. I’ll be very surprised if we are able to put nine subs on the bench.

"We will have a look at some of the younger lads as well because it will be good for them. The experience of sitting on the bench will be good.

"You never know, one of them might have to come on. We are going to be without (Malachi) Dotse who did himself a lot of good last week.

“He’s cup-tied from the earlier rounds. In terms of getting some of the first-team squad players back, I think it’s going to be a little bit too soon."

Should the Spitfires advance against the fellow National League side they will pocket £41,000 in prize money.

They could also set up a fixture against Football League opposition: “It’s the FA Cup, it should be exciting for everybody," Hill continued. 

"It’s lost a little bit of its glamour over the years, but people of my era will still tell you that the FA Cup is fantastic.

"We’ve worked really hard this week with the FA Cup in mind. It’s not just excitement for the players, but also for everybody involved with the club.

“It’s important that everyone at the football club - the players, the staff, myself, the fans - put on a performance on Saturday to give ourselves the best chance to go through to the next round.”