Braintree Town manager Danny Cowley is hoping that Charlie Strutton will come back from his loan spell at Hayes and Yeading with the match sharpness he needs to return to the Iron’s line-up.

Strutton has joined the Vanarama National League South side for a month to continue his rehabilitation from an ankle operation earlier this year.

He has had a number of outings for Braintree Town Reserves in Thurlow Nunn League division one, but Cowley is looking for him to step up his recovery at Hayes and Yeading.

He said: “It’s just game time for Charlie.

“He needs a pre-season as he’s had four reserve team games now which have benefited him fitness-wise, but he now needs more competitive football.

“He’ll now be at Hayes and Yeading in the Conference South where he’ll get a month’s football and be better for that.

“The challenge is for him to get Saturday-Tuesday football and time will tell if he can.

“We expect him to as his fitness is good now and it’s all about getting the sharpness back for him.

“He hasn’t played much football in the last two years so we have to be patient.

“We are patient and we’re taking a long-term view on it.

“If we can get a fit Charlie Strutton back, it will be massive for this football club and that’s what we’re looking to do.”

Cowley confirmed that Jordan Cox is also on the comeback from injury.

The Iron striker has been sidelined by a knee ligament problem and despite not being ready to return just yet, the boss is hoping that he will be back in action soon.

“Jordan has picked up a medial ligament injury,” said Cowley.

“He trained really well on Tuesday last week, but then woke up the next day and it was niggling again.

“It’s a frustrating one but hopefully he’s not too far away.”