EASTLEIGH are advising sought-after wideman Damian Scannell not to jump feet first into a hasty move into the Football League.

The 22-year-old wing wizard was the subject of a £5,000 bid from Coca-Cola League One promotion hopefuls Southend United on Friday night and Eastleigh were yesterday expected to give the Shrimpers the go-ahead to speak to him.

But, with several other clubs - Nottingham Forest included - interested in the Croydon-based crowd-pleaser, Spitfires' director of football David Malone is advising him to bide his time.

He said: "We've only had one definite offer for Damian faxed from Southend, but we've had several clubs express an interest in him at a price.

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"Nottingham Forest and Brighton are both interested and even Saints have had a look at him. John Gorman (Saints chief scout) was down watching the Thurrock game last Tuesday."

Technically, if Scannell has set his heart on a move to Southend there is nothing to stop him.

He and his agent insisted on a clause in his Eastleigh contract stating that if a club came in with a £5,000 offer or higher, he would be free to leave.

On the face of it, that is lean pickings for a player with such immense ability but, as Malone pointed out: "When we signed him from Fisher in the summer we got him for nothing and Damian and his agent were in a position to tell us what they wanted.

"We're going to allow Southend to speak to him, but I think it's best for him and us that he speaks to all the clubs that have shown an interest and not jump at the first one."

But for the clause in Scannell's contract, the Spitfires would be adding another nought to his value.

"Plucking a figure out of the air, I'd say he's worth £50,000," said Malone.

"On his day he is probably the best player in the Blue Square South."