CARETAKER boss Chris Todd has not had an official interview for the Eastleigh job but has had a couple of conversations with chairman Stewart Donald.

Todd, who has publicly stated his interest in succeeding Richard Hill, faces stiff competition for the post with the Spitfires currently sifting through around 80 applications.

Todd said: “It’s not about an interview, it’s more casual with me because I’m already at the football club.

“If the chairman feels it’s right, then I’m up for doing it.

“It shows what the club’s achieved in the last three years that there are high-profile people applying.

“Eastleigh are on the map now, the success they’ve had shows it’s a proper football club.

“But whoever gets the job has got to be right and whether that’s me or someone else, only time will tell.

“I’m enjoying it, I feel comfortable and I’m hopeful of getting the job, but the most important thing now is getting things right on the field and we’ve got an important game coming up.”

Braintree Town are Saturday's Silverlake visitors and Todd would love to enhance his CV with another positive result to complement last week’s outstanding 3-2 win at Wrexham.

Top scorer James Constable is struggling with a thigh problem, but goalkeeper Ross Flitney returns from a one-match ban and defender Jamie Turley, though not 100 per cent fit, is available for selection.

Skipper Paul Reid has been back in the gym as he fights back from an infected leg wound. “It’s a matter of time with Reidy,” said Todd. “He’s helping me on the sidelines at the moment, which is brilliant. How he managed to play through that injury was amazing, it shows the character he is.”

Flitney’s return from suspension gives Todd a dilemma after young understudy Lewis Noice excelled between the sticks at Wrexham.

“It’s a nice problem to have and whoever I select tomorrow will be ready,” said Todd. “Lewis hasn’t done himself any harm as a young player. He’s shown how capable he is of playing at this level – and probably higher – and I’m sure people will be looking at him. He’s definitely got something.”

Braintree, ninth, are level on 21 points with tenth-placed Eastleigh and share an identical record of six wins, three draws and four defeats in the Vanarama National League.

“It won’t be easy,” said Todd. “But I’d like to think we can make the Silverlake a bit of fortress, which we haven’t done lately. We’ve had a good, strong week of training and everyone’s pulling together and looking forward to it.”