ALEX Read will be in the 'right frame of mind' to play for Brentwood Town while he continues his trial with Dagenham & Redbridge, says manager Steve Witherspoon.
Despite a twisted ankle the prolific forward, who has netted 27 times this term, was due to play for The Blues last night (Tuesday) against league leaders Maldon & Tiptree.
"He's got a little knock but hopefully he'll come through the fitness test and he'll come out firing on all cylinders for us," said the manager.
"What we've said is that we're playing the top of the league team and we'd like him to play with us and as long as he passes a fitness test he will be playing, which is a bonus."
Witherspoon used to play for Maldon Town, the club's name before the merger with Tiptree United, and says he's looking forward to going back to the Wallace Binder Stadium.
"We've been quite successful down there," he said. "It suits our style. We get the ball down and pass and it's a lovely surface down there and we can pop it about."
Witherspoon scouted his former team on Saturday when they surprisingly threw away a two-goal lead to draw 2-2 at home to Redbridge.
"We don't fear anyone in the league it's just the fixture backlog that could affect us in the end this season," said the boss.
Brentwood knocked Maldon out of this season's FA Cup on penalties after two tight fixtures and Witherspoon thinks his squad is now better equipped to cope with the leaders.
"We've got a good side," he said. "I think we can give anyone in the league a game ... if you have a look at the team that drew with them in the first cup game and then beat them on penalties in the second after extra time we now have a considerably better side and there are six or seven different players that took them on and we think we're a better side now. "
This week academy product Robbie Rees has joined Redbridge after struggling to break in to the first team.
"He a good little player," said Witherspoon. "I'm sorry to see him go but he obviously wanted first team football and he's going to get it there and he wasn't going to get a match regularly.
"He'll be a cracking player but we can't hold on to everyone."
On Saturday Town visit the league's third top scorers Soham Town Rangers, last month Brentwood beat them 6-3 at The Arena.
In preparation for the rigours of the week ahead the squad travelled to Colchester United to use their all-weather surface after Saturday's game at Witham Town was called off.
"We did need to get out on a proper pitch and stretch our legs. We won't be as sharp as Maldon, they've had games," he added.
