We are pleased to announce the signing of Centre-back Harvey Read from Eastleigh on a months loan. The former Saints and Stoke City defender signed for Eastleigh in the summer after being released from the Potters.

The 18-year-old centre-back had been on trial with the Spitfires over the course of pre-season and impressed manager Richard Hill.

Read, who hails from Lyndhurst, joined Stoke’s scholarship programme as an under-16 having previously spent time with Southampton.

He progressed to The Potters’ under-18 and under-23 sides and played his part in getting Stoke to the semi-finals of the last season's FA Youth Cup.

Described in the Stoke media as a “no-nonsense centre-back who enjoys a good contest,” Read was released at the end of last season after three years in The Potteries.

We would like to thank Eastleigh for their assistance and speed to get this signing over the line today.

Harvey will go straight into tonight's squad to face Bath City tonight at Bulpit Lane