SALISBURY City manager Nick Holmes has paid a glowing tribute to striker Paul Sales, who is expected to complete his return to Blue Square South side Eastleigh later this week.

Southampton-based Sales, who scored 110 goals for the Whites - making him the club's sixth all-time goal-getter - is joining the Hampshire outfit for a 'substantial undisclosed' fee.

Holmes said: "Paul has been a great servant to this club over the years and as well as scoring many important goals for us, has been a key part of our recent rise through the leagues.

"We're eternally grateful for his contribution and he leaves here with our very best wishes for the future."

Thirty-three-year-old Sales kicked off the club's Blue Square Premier campaign on the bench, after falling behind Robbie Matthews in City's striking pecking order "He was suffering slightly with a back injury during the summer which meant Robbie Matthews got ahead of him," added Holmes.

In recognition of his services to the Old Sarum outfit, Holmes and the City board have granted the striker a testimonial, which the Whites boss says will take place at the end of the current season - possibly against Eastleigh.

City director Peter Yeldon, said: "Paul has been a great servant of the club and is hugely popular with everyone here and he is leaving us on very good terms.

"I'm sure he doesn't want to be on the bench, but no-one can be assured of a starting place. On behalf of the board I'd like to wish Paul all the very best in the future and look forward to welcoming him back here at some point for his testimonial."

Sales proved a prolific goalscorer throughout his time with the Whites, averaging a goal every two games.

In his first spell, which began in 1999, he bagged 75 goals in just 135 games before moving to Bashley for £5,000.

He rejoined the Whites in June 2005 from Eastleigh for an undisclosed sum, and instantly formed a formidable partnership with Matt Tubbs - their goals helping City to successive promotions.

Holmes added: "Paul has been too good a player for us for his career here to fizzle out on the bench. He's been great to have around and he has many good friends at the club and we can't thank him enough for the part he's played in helping us get where we are now."