RICHARD Hill is a long-time admirer of Eastleigh’s new 6ft 4in central midfield signing Harry Pell.

The 23-year-old completed a move to the Silverlake from League Two side AFC Wimbledon yesterday, but it was during his time with Hereford United that he first caught Hill’s eye.

“I first saw Harry play a couple of years back when I went to watch Chris Todd and Will Evans who were also at Hereford at the time,” said the Spitfires boss.

“But I was aware of him before that and I’ve always liked him and always thought he was a decent footballer.

“I tried to sign him three weeks ago. Harry was interested but he wanted to stay at Wimbledon and fight for a place.

“But I was made aware of him again on Wednesday and asked if I was still interested, which I was.

“Harry gets about the pitch and plays with a lot of energy.

“He’ll go into the squad at Kidderminster tomorrow, but whether he starts or not we’ll see because he hasn’t played much football.”

Tilbury-born Pell had a loan spell with Eastleigh’s Vanarama Conference rivals Grimsby earlier this season but his first-team opportunities with Wimbledon have been limited of late.

Dons boss Neal Ardley confirmed that the former Charlton youth and Bristol Rovers player, signed by the Dons from Hereford in January 2013, had grown frustrated by a lack of playing time and his contract was cancelled by mutual consent.

“Harry made a great start in his first season with us and played a key role in keeping us in the Football League,” said Ardley. “We wish him well at Eastleigh.”

Pell made 65 appearances for the Londoners in all competitions, scoring six goals. His move to the Silverlake reunites him with Jack Midson, released by the Dons in May.

He is the third player to sign for the Spitfires during the January transfer window, following Brian Howard and AFC Bournemouth loanee Joe Partington into Stoneham Lane.

Defender Partington’s initial month’s loan is up tomorrow and the Spitfires are hoping Cherries will be amenable to extending it for the rest of the season.

A big admirer of Partington’s, Hill said: “He’d be playing every week in the Football League if he hadn’t had the injuries he’s had. “Anyone who watched Alex Lacey play for us (on loan from Luton) would have said ‘what a good player’ and, if they’re fortunate enough to have seen them both, they would be saying the same thing about Joe.”

Left-back Michael Green is back available tomorrow after a two-match ban as Eastleigh look to repeat October’s 1-0 FA Cup triumph at Aggborough.

Kiddy occupy fifth-spot, but are just two points better off than seventh-placed Eastleigh having played three games more.

Both teams are looking to bounce back from 1-0 defeats – the Spitfires losing at home to Grimsby on Tuesday, while Kidderminster came a cropper at Chester last weekend.

The Worcestershire outfit – winless in their last four home fixtures – suffered a blow this week when their Wrexham-bound 27-year-old vice-captain Kyle Storer left because of a reported contractual wrangle.

Despite being tagged ‘cash-strapped’, Kidderminster have been active during the transfer window signing, among others, striker Danny Wright from Gateshead.

Their captain Josh Gowling may be fit to return tomorrow after more than a month out with a knee injury.