First-team boss Gary Setchell admits he is more than happy to do King's Lynn Town Reserves a favour this afternoon.

The Linnets' chief has allowed young defender Chris Ward to feature for the club's second-string in their 'make or break' Peterborough Premier Division clash with Netherton. And even though that leaves Town taking just three substitutes to their Evo-Stik Premier Division fixture at Stafford Rangers, Setchell is looking at the positives.

Lynn's boss said: 'If Stuart Wall had been fit (ruled out with an ankle problem) I may have left Shaun Stocker with the reserves as well.

'I'm not dropping in lads who haven't played for the reserves, like say David Bell, for the game. Wardy's played for the reserves a fair bit and I think this is a good game for him to play in. It's a massive game, Joff (boss Jonathan Hawes) needs him, and Wardy could do with the minutes. So we'll go with three subs. It's not a problem. Like when we got back-to-back promoted, I don't think anybody expected the reserves to do as well as they have this season.

'But Joff and Coey (assistant Jason Coe) have done a trememdous job, regardless of what happens today and between now and the end of the season. They've had a great campaign. A sign of how well they've done is Chris Ward and Shaun Stocker have been on the fringes of the first team and Ryan Fryatt is now a regular, who has come through the reserves.'

Lynn's second string, who hope to get promoted into the Thurlow Nunn First Division, are second in the table and locked on 64 points with the side they welcome to The Walks this afternoon. The Linnets have played two games more though. So it's certainly a must-win match. Setchell's side's fixture at Stafford is less important on paper mind with his troops certain to secure a respectable mid-table position following a quick rise up the non-league ladder. But Lynn's boss insists he'll be taking the fixture seriously.

'I'm looking forward to the game,' said Setchell who will be without Wall, Ward and suspended trio Fryatt, Jake Jones and Ashley Timms (also injured).

'I'm already starting to plan for next season, which for me has started. I've been happy with our first couple of games, so to speak, but I'm looking to build on that. I still want the players to perform.'