Gary Setchell happy with King’s Lynn Town’s Leon Mettam boost

Striker Leon Mettam's arrival will give everyone a lift at King's Lynn Town, according to his temporary manager.

Gary Setchell will include last season's Evo-Stik Premier Division top scorer in today's squad after he joined the Linnets on a month's loan from higher-level Tamworth on Thursday night. Mettam earned a move to the Vanarama Conference North outfit after banging in an astonishing 45 league goals for Worksop Town to comfortably clinch the 2013/14 Northern Premier League golden boot.

However, the 28-year-old's goal-scoring exploits have slowed somewhat since joining the Lambs in the summer – largely down to a four-month spell on the sidelines with an ankle injury – but Lynn's boss is certain his presence will be a boost ahead of this afternoon's arrival of league leaders Skelmersdale United.

Setchell said: 'I'm really pleased. I spoke to him in the summer when he was high in demand and was light years away from our wage structure. But I'm a bit like a dog with a bone and I've stayed in contact with him since on Twitter and such.

'I knew he was in need of games so I spoke to Andy Morrell (Tamworth boss) and Metts, who had a lot of other clubs looking at him, decided to come down here and give it a go. We needed an extra body but even if we didn't, when someone becomes available with his ability, even if it's just for a month, you'd be silly to turn it down.

'The timing is perfect. With the league leaders here and the tough fixtures we've got coming up, it's happened at the right time. I know I don't expect Metts to be as free-scoring and comfortable as he was at Worksop but in key moments when he gets a chance in the box he'll know where the net is. He's done that his whole career.'

Mettam's impending debut provides a lift for Lynn, 12th, as they go into the clash without the services of frontman Michael Frew (first of two-game ban), creative talents Jake Jones and David Bell – both of whom failed midweek fitness tests at training – and defender Jackson Ramm (first of two-game ban). Midfielder Dan Quigley however returns after missing 180 minutes of football through suspension.

Setchell added: 'I don't want our season to go flat. If we beat the leaders, and Metts plays well, everyone is going to be buzzing. If we get on a run I still honestly believe we can get back in contention for the top five.'