Shaun Carey's reappearance in a King's Lynn shirt was the highlight of a comfortable Linnets friendly victory at Plantation Park.

Shaun Carey's reappearance in a King's Lynn shirt was the highlight of a comfortable Linnets friendly victory at Plantation Park.

The ex-Norwich City man's leg was broken by a crude challenge by Corby's Danny Maddox at last September. His rehabilitation has been a long and often painful one, with operations and countless hours of lonely fitness work. But at 4.36pm on Saturday all that hard work finally bore fruit as Carey appeared for the final 10 minutes, with the Linnets cruising.

His appearance was greeted with loud and sustained applause from the Linnets' faithful, clearly appreciative of the gritty midfielder's plight.

Manager Keith Webb was also keen to sing the praises of the man who acted as his assistant following his appointment last December.

"I'm really pleased for Shaun," he admitted. "He is a class player and his quality and experience will be vital for us as the season progresses.

"He has the ability to keep things simple and has the desire to win but we won't rush him and he probably won't be quite ready for the start of the new season."

On the pitch the Linnets controlled things from beginning to end in a one-sided encounter.

Webb named a strong squad with only Steve Melton (unavailable) and Jack and Charlie Defty (with the reserves) not present. Shaun Ridgeway was given another chance in midfield with fellow trialist Greg Lake on the bench.

Matt O'Halloran missed a good chance in the eighth minute, but John Turner soon showed how it should with a comfortable finish from 12 yards, following Michael Frew's short pass.

Turner doubled his and his side's tally on 25 minutes as he stooped at the back post to nod in Dean West's centre, with United players half-heartedly appealing for offside.

The Linnets continued to push after the break, with Ridgeway going close from a tight angle and Greg Crane clearing Ian Walker's bar with a header following Joe Francis' corner.

The lead was further increased with 13 minutes remaining as Frew's attempted cross caught the wind and deceived Walker before nestling in the top right-hand corner.

Right on full-time Walker was beaten again as Matt Nolan's 25-yard screamer found its way past the overworked keeper.

Norwich United: Walker, Crane, Romario, Revell, Arger, Self, Anselin, Ferguson, Corke, Shipley, Golder, Thompson, Hardy, Wright, Dawson, Brindley.

King's Lynn: Howie, West, Chapman, Warren, Crane, Camm, O'Halloran, Ridgeway, Frew, Turner, Francis. Substitutes: Lake, Fisk, Buhleman, Bloomfield, Nolan, Carey.