King's Lynn caretaker boss Shaun Carey plans a winning start to the club's new era in tonight's Southern League, Premier Division home game against Cheshunt.

King's Lynn caretaker boss Shaun Carey plans a winning start to the club's new era in tonight's Southern League, Premier Division home game against Cheshunt.

Carey and Dean West take temporary charge for the last time ahead of Norwich reserve manager Keith Webb's impending arrival at The Walks.

Managerless Lynn slumped to their third consecutive defeat with Saturday's FA Trophy reverse at Mangotsfield.

“It was a definite improvement on the previous game,” insisted Carey. “I couldn't fault the commitment of the lads who played. Mark Warren was throwing himself at everything and that typified the spirit amongst the senior players. Both sides didn't play well. It was a scrappy cup tie. We switched off twice and got punished but after getting back on level terms we had an opportunity from the penalty spot to go on and win the match.”

Lynn's cup exit was soured by the late arrival of keeper Shaun Marshall due to traffic chaos and a further trio of no shows - Carey insists the matter is closed.

“It was totally unprofessional,” he said. “I was raging at those players. They've apologised and we've fined them. I didn't enjoy that experience and I can promise you things are going to change moving forward. From now on everyone will stay at the hotel on overnight stops.”

Sam McMahon (hamstring) is likely to miss the festive period along with flying wideman Matt O'Halloran (ankle). Worksop target Michael Frew (leg) is a doubt for the Ambers' visit after failing a weekend fitness test.

“We only had one usable substitute at Mangotsfield,” said Carey. “We'll draft the likes of Greg Crane into the squad to give us as many different options as possible. Frewy is still struggling and I had to tell Sam just to stand in the middle of the park during the second half. He'll probably be out for a fortnight. Matty could be back within ten days or so depending on how they respond to treatment.”

Matt Nolan's brace sunk Cheshunt in last season's corresponding fixture. Ambers' hitman Lee Allen's hat trick destroyed Lynn's play-off conquerors Chippenham 3-0 at the weekend.

T King's Lynn (from): Marshall, Higgs, West, C Defty, Warren, Cooper, Camm, J Defty, Frew, Notman, Nolan, Norris, Toms, Melton, Hicks, Harvey, Gaughran, Crane.