BRAINTREE arrive at York City having won more away games than any side outside the National League’s top-nine teams.

The seventh-bottom Essex outfit, who are hovering four points above the drop zone, have triumphed in seven league games on the road this term, taking seven more points on their travels than they have at their Cressing Road base.

But Hakan Hayrettin’s men are yet to take maximum points at any of those leading nine sides and are also hoping to avoid losing a third successive game for the first time since October 4, having been beaten 3-1 at home to Woking before going down to the only goal of the game at Tranmere last weekend.

Prolific top scorer Michael Cheek, meanwhile, is enduring his longest barren spell since October, having failed to net in three outings.

The 25-year-old former Chelmsford forward, who only scored once in his first 13 appearances this term, has now hit the target 23 times in 2016/17, including 16 during away fixtures.

After Cheek, the Iron have three players who have six goals to their name this season.

One is Simeon Akinola, who moved to Barnet in January.

Another is ex-Southampton striker Lee Barnard, who has suffered a 19-game league goal drought since converting an 88th-minute equalising penalty against the Minstermen more than five months ago.

The third is Jack Midson, with one goal from his last 13 matches.

Hayrettin will be able to call on the services of 20-year-old forward Monty Patterson following his return from international duty with New Zealand.

The on-loan Ipswich forward has also only managed one goal in 11 league games, though, since his arrival from Portman Road.

Braintree will still, meanwhile, be without injured first-choice net-minder Sam Beasant.

The goalkeeping position has been problematic all season for the Iron, who have fielded seven different shot-stoppers.

Ben McNamara, signed from Concord Rangers in January, is currently in possession of the gloves.

The 28-year-old Australian has played for Nuneaton in the past.

Hayrettin also has problems in defence with Ian Gayle and Frankie Musonda still ruled out, while Manny Parry and Jake Goodman are both rated doubtful after picking up knocks at Tranmere.

Braintree (probabl): McNamara, Clohessy, Mbulu, Goodman, Okimo, Come, Hall-Johnson, Isaac, Barnard, Cheek, Midson.