Gary Setchell last night strengthened King's Lynn Town's play-off push by signing one new player while closing in on another.

The Linnets boss completed the capture of long-term target James Jepson before admitting he was '99.9pc certain' to complete Sam Mulready's return to The Walks today.

Setchell believes the arrival of the midfielder, and the soon to be rubber-stamped capture of a striker who played on loan for Lynn earlier this term, can only bolster his side's top-five ambitions.

The Lynn manager, whose team sit fourth in Evo-Stik Division One South, said: 'James can play tucked in as a left-midfielder of a four or in central midfield in a three. He's not a replacement for Jamie Thurlbourne because he's not a left-winger. Even if he wears the 11 shirt he won't be a left-winger, he's a midfielder.

'He's going to be a good addition to the squad and hopefully Mulready will be signed this morning as well. James will give us that extra bit of quality and a body in midfield and with Sam we already know what he's about. He'll give us the extra impetus up front with (Russell) Dunkley, (Shane) Tolley and (Danny) Beaumont. I'm now happy with my squad going into the back end of the season.'

Jepson, 30, turned down an approach from Lynn in October after he starred in Gresley's 2-2 draw at The Walks. He also played in his team's 2-1 defeat to Setchell's men at the weekend.

Mulready played for his hometown Linnets for three months before going back to Gainsborough at the end of January. The 19-year-old had his contract cancelled with Trinity by mutual consent this week and will be a Lynn player once paperwork on his move has been completed.