King's Lynn joint boss Gary Setchell believes Ross Watson is the perfect man to lead Town's UCL title tilt this season ahead of today's final friendly at Southern Premier Bedford (3pm).

Watson has taken the captain's armband from free-scoring striker Jack Defty in a move designed to ensure Town are ready for the challenge of securing promotion from step five after last season's near miss.

'It is no slight on Jack at all,' said Setchell. 'But, if I am honest, during my career as a player I always preferred my captain to be either a defender or a midfielder. They can see the play developing in front of them and I feel with Ross he is someone who is a leader and has been ever since he came to the club.

'You know he will give you everything he has got in every game and he is the type of character you want to do that role. Jack was naturally disappointed when we made the decision but he wished Ross all the best and I spoke to him after the Histon game and just explained my thinking and he accepted that. Jack is a major part of what we are trying to achieve and he knows what we think of him.'

Setchell believes a midweek 3-2 home win over the Conference-level Stutes underlined Lynn's promotion credentials.

'We are bang on at this stage for where I wanted us to be,' he said. 'I thought we were well prepared last pre-season and of course that didn't prove to be the case, but the lads have taken everything on board we wanted them to do and they have worked ever so hard. I am confident we will be ready for that first game.

'The Histon result and performance was probably our best so far. I was delighted how we worked as a unit when we didn't have possession. That is something we have been keen to stress to the players and we showed plenty of energy and commitment to press high up the pitch.

'I think their manager came out and said afterwards it was the hardest game they'd had so far and when you consider they played a Norwich City side that is a compliment to my boys. It takes time to work on things and that is starting to show now.'

Defender Stuart Wall will start against his former side this afternoon but Lynn's management will take no risks with fellow centre back Paul Cousins.

'He just has a bit of an impact injury so we probably won't risk him,' said Setchell. 'Jordan Yong is definitly out and that is a shame for the lad because he has been impressive during pre-season. Stuart will start against his old club and its been tough for him because with his injury when he came here it has been a bit stop start. You have to remember the new lads need time to settle in and get used to their new team mates but we haven't seen the best of him yet.'