King’s Lynn face a testing week as they look to prevent their closest rivals taking a grip on the National League North’s automatic promotion spot.

Manager Tommy Widdrington’s focus will be on Tuesday night’s trip to Banbury United – although the elephant in the room will be Saturday’s visit to leaders AFC Fylde.

The gap between the two stands at three points, but Fylde have a game in hand. While Lynn head to 11th-placed Banbury, the leaders host Hereford.

For Lynn, there’s the added issue of Brackley, who are a point behind, from a game more - they travel to struggling Boston United on Tuesday.

Widdrington won’t have the calculator out – it’s a case of first things first, and that means preparing for a Banbury side which impressed him when they visited The Walks in October – even though Lynn won 3-1.

“It's a big week because it's two big trips and then we come back home for three games on the spin,” said Widdrington. “The way the fixtures have worked out it's a little bit strange, but it is what it is. We’ve got Banbury in our sights now, we'll be back in Monday morning with a head count, make sure they're all well.

“We plough on into Banbury. When we played them here, they did try to play football so I should imagine teams that try to play football, usually have decent football pitches.

“They were the one team that came and had a really good game of football with us I thought, and one of the better sides I've seen this season. But at this time of the season it's all about points for everybody for different reasons. Banbury are within touching distance of the play-offs. We are where we are, so we all want points.”

Eastern Daily Press: Josh Barrett in action against GloucesterJosh Barrett in action against Gloucester (Image: Ian Burt)

Banbury’s desire to play football is likely to influence Widdrington’s selection. Defender Kyle Callan-McFadden started in the home draw against Gloucester on Saturday, the manager indicating with a sweeping hand movement above his head the reason why – the anticipated aerial menace. It came and the former Norwich City man responded.

“We knew they were going to come back from front,” said Widdrington. “The one thing Kyle does, he puts his body on the line for you, and he's a defender first and foremost, but he can play football.”