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.

"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.

Full story in today's Daily Echo