Gary Setchell remains hopeful that striker Sam Mulready will return to King's Lynn Town – despite failing to extend his three-month loan deal.

The former Grimsby frontman yesterday returned to Gainsborough Trinity – even though Setchell made every effort to keep him at The Walks until the end of the season.

The 19-year-old is heading back to the Blue Square North outfit thanks to an injury crisis of sorts at The Northolme, but the Linnets boss thinks the teenager's days with his hometown club are far from over.

Setchell said: 'Sam had just really found his feet. He got in the team, got injured, then got back in the team and was very impressive against Telford and Southport. With Russell Dunkley, who's now almost fit again, being injured Sam had a chance to put his stamp on the club. Then the big freeze came, which is a shame because I think he was going to make a real impact.

'We kept him fit, he enjoyed it here, and it's just unfortunate that he's going back. If he's going to play regularly at Gainsborough it's a good move for him. If not, and he's going to be lucky to be in the squad, then it's not. Things might change and they've said we'll be the first club they let know.

'Sam knows about us and if we can get him back we will. You never know, he might be back sooner rather than later. Things change very quickly in football. His contract is up in the summer too, so we'll possibly be trying to get him to sign full-time.'

Mulready, who spent the beginning of the campaign on loan at Holbeach United, made 10 appearances, scoring once, for Lynn after joining in October.

His departure comes hot on the heels of top goalscorer Steve Spriggs' decision to leave the club and Setchell admits he is looking to bring in new faces in the near future.

'I've got to get one or two in,' he said.

'I've lost Spriggsy and he's not easy to replace. We've been working hard, we've had one or two knockbacks, and we only want to bring someone in that is better than what we've got.

'We've been offered one or two, but I don't feel they're better than what we've got. I'll keep working hard as although we've still got a strong squad we're one or two injuries away from being threadbare.'

One player who looks set to remain with Lynn, for the time being at least, is highly-rated left-back Jordan Yong, with Setchell quashing rumours he was following Spriggs to Boston United – or moving one step higher to join FA Cup giantkillers Luton Town.

'When other clubs came in for him a few months ago, Buster (Chapman, chairman) and I did a deal with him until the end of the season,' said Setchell.

'We won't go back on our word and I've known him for four or five years and I'm sure he won't go back on his. In the summer I'm sure we'll be one of a number of clubs trying to get his signature.'