After a meeting with players and staff last week, Frew opted to take a short break from management due to health reasons, and Flanagan admits the realisation of the situation has given a number of players a ‘kick up the backside’.

“I am pretty sure Matt will stay with us,” said Flanagan, who revealed Mel Ramsey, John Langton, Matt Waldron and under-21s manager Danny Lee have all helped in Frew’s absence.

“The whole situation has given the players a kick up the backside and reminded them of what the club is all about.

“It’s been very positive in the last two games and the players have rallied round and are doing it for Matt.

“Some of them may have taken things for granted before, but you could see on Saturday at Needham some of the Barkingside spirit was back.”

But if Frew did decide to step away, Flanagan admits it will be difficult to find a replacement.

“If Matt doesn’t want to return then we will have to look for someone else, but I wouldn’t just want anyone to come in and rip the team apart,” he added.

“Most manager’s have their own players, but I don’t think it would be fair on the current players if the person who came in made wholesale changes.”

Barkingside face a big test against high-flying Thurrock at Cricklefield on Saturday, before a trip to Cheshunt on Tuesday.

Flanagan said: “Thurrock is going to be a hard game as they are going well at the moment. If we can pick something up that will be a big bonus and boost going into the Cheshunt match.

“Cheshunt is obviously anothe crucial game for us and the least we will be looking for there is a point.”

Courtesy of Ilford Recorder