EASTLEIGH will start the new Vanarama National League campaign without fans' player-of-the-year Ross Flitney in goal.

The Spitfires No1 cracked a thumb bone on the second day of pre-season and faces six weeks on the sidelines.

His understudy Lewis Noice will fill in again for tomorrow’s (Tuesday, 7.45pm) friendly visit of Terry Butcher’s Newport County, but longer term manager Richard Hill must decide whether to stick with his young academy graduate or bring in a more experienced stopper on loan before August 8’s league opener at Southport.

Hill said: “Ross was in discomfort after saving the ball in training and was in a bit of trouble the following day. He rested it, but it still felt sore so he went for X-rays and found out he’d cracked a bone.

“It’s not ideal but I’ve got a few games now to look at Lewis and decide what to do.

“Lewis has been thrown in at the deep end. I’ve noticed a couple of things he could be a bit more efficient at, but he’s done nothing wrong. I’ve got to decide now whether it’s right to take him to Southport away.

“It’s alright giving young ’keepers an opportunity, but it can break them if you’re not careful.”

Flitney was not the only key name missing for Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at Havant, settled by two second-half Scott Donnelly goals. Michael Green (strained bottom muscle) and Yemi Odubade (thigh tweak) were rested and Josh Payne (shin splints) was limited to 45 minutes.

Ben Strevens was at his sister’s wedding and Hill gave Paul Reid permission to play in a charity game for his old club Barnsley – unaware that fellow centre-back Jamie Turley would be diagnosed with chicken pox on Friday.

Two trialists – Matt Bevans from Oxford United and 18-year-old Jack Alexander from Bristol City – filled the full-back berths, but only Alexander will feature again tonight.

With five summer arrivals - Payne, Ross Lafayette, Joe Partington, Lee Cook and Andy Drury already in the bag – Hill is keeping an open mind about further signings.

“It depends what comes along,” he said. “I’m quite happy to go with a small squad of 14-15 outfielders and two goalkeepers. With 15 outfielders you’d effectively have an ex-Football League player sitting in the stand for Eastleigh.

“But we’ve had a bit of rotten luck in pre-season with Ross’s thumb injury - and who’d have thought a 25-year-old would end up with chicken pox?

“Every pre-season Josh Payne suffers with shin splints and Andy Drury missed the first two weeks of pre-season so he’s a bit behind some of the other lads.

“I’ve given some of the young lads – Tony Lee, Jack Masterton and Jack Smith -  a run-out. They’ve been training with us and have worked very hard.”

If Hill were to make one more signing, his top priority would be a versatile left-sided player.

“I’ve searched high and low in the summer for a left-back/left-sided player with a left foot who could do both jobs, but I can’t find one,” he said. “They are out there, but not to the standard required to play for Eastleigh.”