King's Lynn caretaker boss Shaun Carey will be taking a back seat this evening when his side visit Stamford in the third round of the Errea Southern League Cup.

King's Lynn caretaker boss Shaun Carey will be taking a back seat this evening when his side visit Stamford in the third round of the Errea Southern League Cup (7.45pm).

While it's a match Carey will be looking to win, the competition isn't exactly top priority for a club who are flying high in the league at present and also have a mouth-watering FA Cup second round showdown with Oldham to look forward to.

So the former Norwich midfielder has decided to field a team of reserves at the Newflame Stadium - and will watch from the sidelines while second string boss Matt Henman takes charge.

“We have got a lot of games coming up and I just can't afford to take any risks,” said Carey, whose side have to play Windsor and Eton in the FA Trophy and Northwood in the league before the televised clash against the Latics on Friday week.

“We want to win at Stamford, but we have got bigger league and cup games coming up, including a run of two in three days, and none of the lads who started the match against Cirencester on Saturday will be playing in it. I need to keep them fresh and injury-free.

“The good thing is that it will give some of our young players the chance to step up and play at a higher standard. That can only be good for their development and I'm looking forward to seeing how they cope.

“Matty will be in charge because it's his team and he knows the lads. It will be useful for me to take a back seat and just watch the game.”

Frazer Toms will get a game tonight as he steps up his recovery from injury while one-time Norwich Academy player Greg Crane will also feature in the centre of defence. Rob Norris and back-up keeper John Higgs will also play while the remainder of the squad will be made of Lynn's Ridgeons League side, currently struggling at the wrong end of the Premier Division table.

If the Linnets grab a surprise win against what is expected to be a near full-strength Stamford side then Henman's players will get another chance to impress in the fourth round, with Carey adding: “With the number of games coming up now it makes sense for us to stick with them in the League Cup if they get through at Stamford. It will give the youngsters something to aim for and I'm sure the prospect of a good cup run will spur them on.”