Braintree Town have boosted their chances of retaining their National League status by signing striker Monty Patterson on loan from Ipswich Town, for the rest of the season.

Patterson played six games on loan with The Iron earlier in the season, netting in the 7-0 win over Eastbourne in the FA Cup.

Now the New Zealand international, who scored a hat-trick in Town Under-23s’ 8-0 win over Watford at Portman Road on Monday, is ready to make a bigger impact at Cressing Road.

Town manager Mick McCarthy said: “Bearing in mind he plays in Tom Lawrence’s position, he’s not going to play for us just yet is he?

“Being on loan at Braintree has helped him get in our Under-23s and play like he did the other night.

“He wasn’t doing that prior to the loan spell. It’s a real benefit for him going out and playing at that level.

“I always have a recall clause. If we have five games left and nothing to play for we may well bring him back and give him games.”

Patterson, aged 20, has made seven appearances for the New Zealand senior side but has yet to play a first-team game for Ipswich.