BRAINTREE Town manager Brad Quinton has warned his players that they will not be part of his plans if they think they can take things easy in the quest for Vanarama National League South promotion.

Quinton was disappointed with his team’s collective defending - from front to back - as they were beaten 3-1 at Wealdstone last weekend and is expecting a response when they host Eastbourne Borough at the IronmongeryDirect Stadium on Saturday (kick-off 3pm).

They stayed second in the National League South table despite the loss at Wealdstone, but the Iron have always hit straight back after any upset so far this year and Quinton said he had been encouraged by a positive training session and talk with his players this week.

“We need to be positive with what we do and I’m confident with my players,” he said.

“We had a great session in training this week after the disappointment of Wealdstone and I had a good chat with some of the senior players in the group.

“We came out with some interesting things and I’m the type of manager who listens to his players and I trust them.

“I got my point across to them and there were different aspects to talk about.

“We have got to where we are through hard work and if anyone thinks that they can take it easy now, then they will find it very different under me as we have to work a lot harder.”

Quinton was also buoyed by some positive news on two players who have been out in recent weeks with injury.

Luke Allen has been struggling with an ankle problem and may be fit to face Eastbourne, while full-back Jon Muleba has had good news come back from a scan on his knee.

Quinton added: “There are changes that will be made for this week and we have some players coming back.

“Jon Muleba and Luke Allen are both close to being back, with Luke probably closer and if not this week then it should be for next week. With Jon, we have had the results back from the ultrasound scan on his knee and it has come back all clear, which is great, so we will step up his training now and see how he goes.

“If he breaks down again then we’ll have to have an MRI scan on it but we will see how he handles it for now.

“If we have people out longer term, then there are things we can do.

As well as the possibility of Allen coming back into the frame, Quinton will also have captain Marc-Anthony Okoye returning for the visit of Eastbourne Borough after the centre-half was suspended for the trip to Wealdstone.

Meanwhile, Quinton will have more than just football on his mind this weekend as once Saturday’s game is out of the way, he and his coaching staff will turn their attentions to raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital on Sunday.

The Iron’s coaching staff will be running in the famous London hospital’s charity 5km and 10km events at the Olympic Park in Stratford as part of the manager’s fundraising efforts after his son Bobby was treated there recently to correct a heart problem.

Anyone who would like to support Quinton’s fundraising can go to the web page that has been set up for donations to be made at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bobby-quinton where more than £2,000 has already been pledged.