Ian Culverhouse believes he has enough experience in his squad to cope with the biggest challenge of the Linnets' season.

The leaders travel to Kettering in a New Year's Day battle of the top two. There's just a point between them, although Lynn will still be kicking themselves after their Boxing Day draw at home to struggling St Ives.

The trip to Latimer Park is a chance to make amends and confirm Lynn's title credentials – and Culverhouse believes that will be perfect motivation today.

'This is what we are here for and experience in the dressing room will tell,' said the Lynn boss.

'I won't have to say anything to our players – they will be up for it. We know what we have to do against the teams that are around us and this will be the first big test this year.

'This is what the experience we have in the dressing room thrives on. Big players turn up for big games and I am sure the big players we have in that dressing room will thrive on it.

'They have hundreds of games under their belts at a good level so I won't need to say anything to them. We will go there and be really up for it.'

Culverhouse's squad includes the likes of midfielder Ryan Jarvis, veteran of almost 300 league games, striker Michael Gash, a regular top non-league player for 12 years, highly-rated former Norwich City youngster Cameron Norman and their Boxing Day scorer Simon Lappin, who played more than 100 times for the Canaries and has only just left the full-time game behind.

Lappin's goal was a trademark left-foot free-kick.

'As soon as he hit it, it was in,' Culverhouse said.

'It was a fantastic strike and that is the quality he has got.

'He is only getting fitter – he has been out for a year, so he will get fitter and fitter and he will be massive for this football club.

Culverhouse has one or two knocks to be sorted before he can name his squad, but has done his homework on the Poppies and knows he will need every man available.

'They are a very, very strong side with good pace up front, a physical side and we have to go there and stand up to the physical side of things and find a way of winning,' he said.