Eastleigh lure Le Tissier

Le Tissier enjoyed an emotional testimonial in May

Former Southampton and England striker Matt Le Tissier has been tempted out of retirement by Jewson Wessex League club Eastleigh.

Le Tissier in demand

Four months after announcing he was hanging up his boots, the 33-year-old said he would now split his time between playing for the non-league side and undertaking an ambassadorial role at the Premiership club.

Football is all I know and I have missed it

Matt Le Tissier

Le Tissier scored 209 goals in 532 matches for the Saints and was forced out of Premiership football after 15 years last season by injury.

But former Saints team-mate David Hughes, who is now in charge at Eastleigh, has offered Le Tissier a one-year contract.

"Non-league football is going to take a bit of getting used to but I don't think it's going to be a problem," the striker said.

"I thought I had played my last match but, when Hughesy contacted me, I jumped at the chance.

"Football is all I know and I have missed it."

Le Tissier was awarded the freedom of the City of Southampton last month.

Le Tissier says farewell

Former England winger Chris Waddle also plans to play non-league football this season after recovering from a knee injury.

The 41-year-old has signed a one-year contract with Glapwell, of the Northern Counties League eastern division.

He turned out for Worksop, in the Uni-Bond League, last season.