Boss Gary Setchell insists Richard Bunting has already shown his importance to the King's Lynn Town cause this summer.

The Linnets captain was a pivotal figure during their title-winning campaign last season until his involvement ended through injury with 10 games to go. However, the holding midfielder has bounced back with a bang this pre-season and appears to have made a full recovery from a serious groin operation. He made his first start since March during Tuesday's 4-0 friendly win over Boston United and left Setchell purring at his brilliance after a fine display.

The Lynn boss said: 'Richard Bunting was absolutely magnificent for the 65 minutes that he played. Whether players like to hear it or not, Bunts is one of our most important players, just because he can do the ugly stuff really well and he sees danger really early.

'And that's a skill. It's no different to the skill of a cross, a shot or a great save, it is a skill. It was like a little bit of an (FA) Trophy game for him. He was putting fires out all over the pitch for us.'

The engine-room schemer made 39 appearances during his maiden term with Lynn, scoring one goal.He is set to feature in his side's final friendly at St Ives Town tomorrow and looks likely to start at Nantwich Town in the Evo-Stik Premier Division opener on August 17.