Eastleigh complete signing of former Coventry and Birmingham man Gary McSheffrey

(Picture: Action Images via Reuters)
By Matt Bishop
National League side Eastleigh have signed experienced Football League stalwart Gary McSheffrey on a short-term deal until January.
The 35-year-old forward, who also played in the Premier League, spent the most successful periods of his career at Birmingham City and Coventry City – scoring 72 goals in 281 appearances during two separate spells at the Ricoh Arena.
Last season, McSheffrey made 12 appearances in League Two with Doncaster as the Yorkshire side sealed their return to League One, and he spent the summer training with Darren Fergurson's side while he searched for a new club.
Having once commanded a transfer fee of £4 million, when Birmingham bought him in 2005, McSheffrey surely has a lot to offer the Spitfires, and he told Radio Solent: “I've got a couple of friends here who have been nothing but impressed with the set-up.
“It's definitely an ambitious place and hopefully we can get the club to where they want to be.”
As well as spells at Birmingham and Coventry, McSheffrey has played at Stockport, Luton, Nottingham Forest, Leeds United, Chesterfield and Scunthorpe.
He will now go straight into Eastleigh's squad as they prepare for Saturday's National League trip to Guiseley.