King's Lynn's injury-prone midfielder Sam McMahon has quit The Walks. McMahon stunned the Southern League, Premier Division club by agreeing to join an unnamed outfit nearer his Midlands home ahead of the new campaign.

King's Lynn's injury-prone midfielder Sam McMahon has quit The Walks.

McMahon stunned the Southern League, Premier Division club by agreeing to join an unnamed outfit nearer his Midlands home ahead of the new campaign.

Linnets' boss Keith Webb expected McMahon to return for pre-season training after undergoing knee surgery earlier this month on the injury that forced him out of Lynn's failed play-off push.

“It has come as a surprise,” admitted Webb. “I think the club looked after him well with all his injuries, particularly financially, but he has decided to seek pastures new. All I wanted was to see him come back fit after the operation.

“He hasn't divulged the club in question but obviously they have given him assurances and with it being nearer his home I guess that also means less travelling.”

The 31-year-old former Leicester trainee scored seven goals in 89 appearances after making his debut under previous boss Tommy Taylor in January 2005.

McMahon was restricted to only five starts over the final five months of Lynn's latest campaign through a succession of hamstring and knee problems.

“Sam is a good player but I probably saw him at 80%,” said Webb. “He was part of my plans but I had to make sure in my own mind regarding his fitness for the new season.”

Webb is poised to finalise the futures of his remaining first team players after a board meeting this week. The Linnets' chief has also drawn up a four man shortlist to fill the vacant assistant manager's position.

“I've spoken to three people and I'm waiting to speak to one more,” he confirmed. “He's away at the minute but after the board have met things will become clearer - I'll also be in a position to resolve the rest of the squad.”

Webb's search for fresh talent is well underway.

“We've got players who have indicated they want to come here,” he said. “The problem is they don't want to commit. I'm told this is a typical non league summer at the moment where lads tend to leave it as late as possible. That's a bit foreign to me. I'd like to have things in place early so I can plan ahead. Until they sign on the dotted line I won't take anything for granted.”