Carshalton Athletic’s interim manager Ian Hazel is staying on at the club for “the sake of his players”.

Hazel took over from the sacked Tommy Williams at the beginning of last month, but, after just two games in charge, announced he would resign this weekend.

The 45-year-old claimed to have been subjected to abuse from a section of Robins fans during the 5-0 defeat to Lowestoft on October 12, and he told owner Paul Dipre he would step down as a result.

However, this week, with the club enjoying its best form of the season going three games unbeaten, the club announced that Hazel will stay on for the time being.

The club is in the process of investigating Hazel’s claims.

He said: “I am a going to stay on for another month and then see where we are.

“With everything that has gone on, it has been a very difficult time for me. I have been a football person since I was 14 or 15, it has been my livelihood and all I am interested in.

“All the other sideshows have been like something out of Eastenders, it was not nice and it has not been easy.”

He added: “But now I want to push on for the sake of the players. At the moment a little bit of continuity is important for them.

“A lot have gone, but those who are left have been fantastic in terms of commitment, attitude and effort, and they all seem to want me to stay around.

“I have no idea what will happen come the end of the year, but I do know that the players we have, albeit very young, have been fantastic over a really difficult time.”

Hazel’s young charges host Egham Town this weekend in the second qualifying round of the FA Trophy, with the Robins in the rare position of being the favourites.

Egham are mid-table in Division One Central of the Southern Premier League, but they have saved their best form for knock-out competitions having won their last four cup games, while losing their past three league encounters.

Hazel said: “We may be favourites. It’s a little weird, but we are not under-estimating Egham. They will come to us looking to put on a show that’s for sure.

“They are one league below us and doing reasonably well, so we’re not anticipating an easy game.”