Surviving a worrying health scare has led to an early managerial debut for new Thetford Town boss Danny White.

The former King's Lynn and Wroxham midfielder was due to play for Norwich United in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division this season but saw his Planters career brought to a swift end.

'Unfortunately I can't play anymore,' the 32-year-old explained.

'I went to see a specialist and it turned out I had multiple blood clots on my lung so I'm on Warfarin to thin my blood, which means I couldn't risk injury because I'll be prone to excessive bleeding.'

White had linked up with Planters manager Damian Hilton, who he played with at Wroxham, but will now be in the opposite dugout to his former team-mate next month.

He has taken on the challenge at struggling Thetford, starting off with a 0-0 home draw against Whitton United last weekend to keep the Brecklanders off the foot of the table.

Today it is third-placed Felixstowe heading for Mundford Road – but White will be keeping calm on the sidelines, as he continues his rehabilitation.

'I'm definitely not going to be one for screaming and shouting anyway because I didn't think it did any good when I was a player,' the former Wisbech and Diss midfielder continued.

'It depends on the player though – some need a kick up the backside and some need an arm around their shoulder.

'We've had two training sessions this week, on Tuesday and Thursday, and the players have shown a good attitude and were buzzing for Saturday.

'We've got some very tough fixtures coming up in the next four or five games. If you take Walsham le Willows out of it, who are down there with us, we've got Felixstowe, Stanway and Norwich United.

'They're all in the top five and going well so of course they are going to be tough games, but the way I look to play is for the players to work their socks off and make it difficult for teams to play and do everything we can to be solid.

'We kept a clean sheet and got a point last week so that was a good start.'

White, who lives close to Thetford, in Weeting, is now looking to make the most of his extensive contacts in the local game.

'I sat down with (chairman) Nigel Armes and said it's a job that, let's be honest, it will be a miracle if we can steer the club away from the relegation battle,' he added.

'But with the contacts I've got, we can get a few players in and certainly improve the squad and go from there.'

Today's fixtures

Premier Division: FC Clacton v Kirkley & Pakefield, Haverhill Rovers v Ipswich Wanderers, Long Melford v Norwich United, Mildenhall Town v Godmanchester Rovers, Newmarket Town v Fakenham Town, Saffron Walden Town v Stanway Rovers, Thetford Town v Felixstowe & Walton United, Walsham le Willows v Whitton United

First Division: AFC Sudbury Res v Dereham Tn Res, Diss Tn v Debenham LC, Downham Tn v Team Bury, Great Yarmouth Tn v Stowmarket Tn, Kings Lynn Tn Res v Cornard Utd, Leiston Res v Halstead Tn, March Tn Utd v Woodbridge Tn, Wivenhoe Tn v Ely City