Nathan McDonald says he will return to Braintree Town with his confidence restored after a year’s loan at Enfield Town.

With Nick Hamann at the club, the 24-year-old goalkeeper (pictured left) said he realised he was not going to get the games he wanted under former Iron manager Alan Devonshire and asked to go out on a season-long loan at Ryman League premier division side Enfield.

Working under his ex-Braintree team-mate, Enfield boss Brad Quinton, proved to be profitable and, with Hamann now leaving to join Woking, McDonald will come back refreshed as he bids to return to the Iron’s number one position under the managerial tenure of Danny Cowley.

McDonald said: “I went out for the year with Brad and he brought my confidence back up so I feel I’m back up to where I was.

“I had waited for my chance at Braintree after Nick (Hamann) came in and was first choice and felt I had got it when he got sent off at Luton.

“I thought I did well, but he came straight back in, so I knew where I stood under Devs.

“I wanted to get a year of football and I wasn’t willing to just sit on the bench waiting during an important part of my career. I had a good year working with Brad and I feel I have improved my game.

“Brad put a lot of confidence back in me.”

See this week's paper for the full version of this story and Nathan McDonald's thoughts on earning a place in Danny Cowley's Braintree Town side next season.