BRAINTREE Town are in talks with several possible new recruits to add to their squad as they bid to go one step further than than the National League South play-offs, writes DAVID WARD.

Manager Angelo Harrop and his first team coach Steve Pitt are continuing their preparations for the forthcoming campaign.

Harrop said: "It's always a busy time for managers at this stage of the summer prior to the start of pre-season training and friendlies and we both have been working hard behind the scenes to improve upon our squad.

"Thankfully we have managed to keep the nucleus of our successful squad from last season but we know the areas where we urgently need to strengthen and hopefully in the next few days we can confirm some new faces."

 

Braintree have lost strikers Alfie Pavey to Farnborough and Lemar Reynolds to Maidstone United, after the duo were offered full-time positions which Harrop understands.

"It means we are short of strikers and good ones are difficult to find at this level and of course every club is chasing those available," said Harrop.

Braintree have also lost striker Aaron Blair who was on loan and has returned to his parent club Dagenham and Redbridge.

But Harrop is hoping to again use the loan system by the time the new season kicks off, on August 5.

"We're taking to two particular new strikers at present and hope to have them on board shortly," said Harrop.

 

"The one certain new recruit is 23-year-old left-back Toby Stevenson, who spent last season at Billericay Town and in fact played one game for Braintree on loan from Bromley, a few seasons back.

Harrop confirmed that keeper Jack Sims, defenders Kyran Clements, skipper John White and players' player of the year Leon Davies have all re-signed.

He is still talking to others like Alfie Matthews, while there's also the prospect of a welcome return to action from Joe Muscatt, who suffered a serious leg injury early on last season but has now fully recovered.

Harrop said: "We are really pleased to get Joe back because he was an important player for us but we didn't see the best of him because of his bad injury that curtailed his season early."

 

Braintree's players, including newcomers and trialists, have their first pre-season warm-up and get together on Saturday, after which pre-season training will become the twice-weekly norm.

There's also a great opportunity for all Iron supporters to find out more about the forthcoming season when both Harrop and Pitt hold an open question and answer session at the clubhouse next Thursday (June 29), starting at 7.30pm.

Harrop added: "I hope as many fans and supporters will come along to the session which will be an open house and we tell them of our plans for the coming season and also hear their views too.