EASTLEIGH boss Richard Hill had nothing but admiration for Lee Peacock after he agreed to sign playing forms for the Skrill Conference South title hunters last week.

With Reece Connolly suspended and Stuart Fleetwood injured, Peacock went on as a late substitute in Saturday’s 0-0 stalemate at Staines and will again be in the squad for tonight’s home game against bottom club Dorchester.

The 37-year-old former Manchester City, Sheffield Wednesday and Swindon forward hung up his boots at the end of last season and has remained with the Spitfires as academy coach.

And with young striker Sam Wilson having left the club, Hill felt the vastly experienced Peacock would be ideal to help out short-term in the pressurised promotion run-in.

He said: “Someone said we’ve got a small squad but, until Sam asked to go, we had 18 players. You’re going to get injuries and suspensions, but if it’s only for a couple of weeks, we can cope.

“As I had Lee in the building I asked if he would register and his answer was: ‘I’ll do anything I can to help’ which was pretty honourable of him.

“He’s a fit lad anyway and I’ve no problems putting Peacks on for 20-25 minutes. No disrespect, but I’d rather have him on the bench at this point than a young lad.”

Also among the subs at Staines was defender/midfielder Will Evans, given all-clear to train again following knee trouble.