JAMIE Day wants his more experienced Braintree Town players to show more of the “spark” that he saw from two his two loanees last weekend when they head to Sutton United tonight.

The Iron travel to Sutton having won just once in the Vanarama National League this season and sitting in the relegation zone after a disappointing second-half performance in their 4-1 defeat by Gateshead on Saturday.

Day was critical of his team’s defending against the Heed and is demanding better as they look to get themselves clear of their current predicament.

He felt his team were better going forward, though, with AFC Bournemouth loan duo Sam Matthews and Brandon Goodship catching the eye after they came on as substitutes.

And Day wants his older players to rise to the challenge more effectively than they have been so far.

“Sam (Matthews) and Brandon (Goodship) did well up front when they came on against Gateshead,” said Day.

“They were lively and caused them a problem.

“They were direct and had a go.

“Both have had game time for Bournemouth (under-23s) so have been playing but it’s slightly different to starting a game in the Conference.

“But they have showed what they are capable of doing.

“They need to be consistent as a lot of our boys aren’t at the moment and that’s our problem.

“When the two lads from Bournemouth came on towards the end, they showed a bit of spark and there was some movement in behind.

"We created some chances, but they are young kids and I need my older players and those who have been around to perform better than what they have been.”

The Iron boss said striker Jack Midson was unlikely to return from a knee injury in time for the trip to Sutton, but would be assessed ahead of this weekend’s game at Chester.