Braintree Town manager Brad Quinton says he doesn't want to see Scott Shulton leave the Iron despite giving his midfielder permission to talk to Hemel Hempstead.

The Iron boss said his team's Vanarama National League South rivals, who beat them 4-3 in the league earlier this month, have put in a seven-day approach for Shulton and are now able to talk to him to discuss a possible move.

The former Bishop's Stortford man, who rejoined Braintree this summer as one of Quinton's first signings after coming in as manager, didn't play in the Iron's 5-0 home win against Hungerford Town last weekend.

He was rested after being sent off in the team's FA Cup replay win at Royston in the previous game and will start a three-game suspension when they head to Brackley Town in the FA Cup third qualifying round on Saturday.

But while Quinton insisted that he didn't want to lose Shulton, he said he wouldn't stand in any of his players' ways if they wanted to leave.

Quinton said: “Hemel have gone and put a seven-dayer in for him.

“He got sent off in the week in the FA Cup and it was right for us to look at what we were planning for this weekend’s game in leaving him out (against Hungerford) and he’s free to speak to other clubs.

“If it’s right for him personally then he has the opportunity to talk to anyone – like anyone here.

“Scott is a great player and I don’t want him to go.

“However, if you don’t want to play for the team that has me as the manager, then you can go and play wherever you want.

“I want people who want to play for one another and play for me.

“The bid is on the table and they are allowed to speak to him from Monday so we’ll see."