EASTLEIGH are lining up a loan defender to offset injuries in the camp.

Pending completion of the paperwork, the Spitfires will bring in 21-year-old former West Bromwich Albion right-back Wes Atkinson for an initial month from League Two outfit Notts County.

Chris Todd's men are on the crest of a five-match winning run in league and cup as they prepare to host last season’s nemesis, Grimsby Town, who beat them home and away in the league before destroying their play-off dream.

But their defensive problems mounted last weekend when, already shorn of left-back Dan Harding due to calf problems, centre-half Jamie Turley limped off with hamstring trouble towards the end of the 4-1 win at Guiseley. He is expected to be out for two weeks.

Paul Reid, just back from long spell on the sidelines, is the obvious replacement but he is rated “very doubtful” for Saturday's third-versus-fourth Vanarama National League clash after hurting his back in the gym.

Todd has had his eye on Atkinson for a while now.

“He’s a young lad who’s been amongst Notts County’s first team for some time and has played in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy,” he said. “He hasn’t played for the first team of late but he’s been close and I’ve watched him on a few occasions for their reserves and I like what I’ve seen.

“He’s hungry, determined, young, quick and athletic.

“He came to training today and did really well. We’ll sign him for a month to start with and then we can develop it.”

Todd, who welcomes midfielder Ben Strevens back from a one-match suspension, could not have held beaten play-off finalists Grimsby in higher esteem last term.

“We lost four times to them and, in my opinion, they were the best side in the league whether they went up or not,” he said.

“No disrespect to the two that did go up, but I thought Grimsby would get promoted. They were a good side then and they will be on Saturday.

“But, for us, it’s all about concentrating on what we do and focusing on this season.

“All that’s in the past and we’re looking to the future. We will have to put in a performance on Saturday.”

With Ollie Palmer having moved to Leyton Orient and Lenell John-Lewis now with Newport County, Grimsby now have a new name riding high in the VNL scoring charts in 12-goal Irishman Padraig Amond.

In the absence of Jon-Paul Pittman and Omar Bogle, Amond was partnered by Alex Jones in last weekend’s 3-1 home win over Welling, but the injured duo have returned to training this week.

The Mariners have lost just one of their last 16 in all competitions and have won their last three.