Linnets boss pleased with pre-season start

King's Lynn Town manager Simon Clark is pleased with how the opening week of pre-season training has gone at The Walks.

The heatwave has added to the intensity of the sessions and matches but Clark says his squad have coped well with the workload since reporting back.

Lynn have already played Norwich City and Fakenham Town on the pitch and travel to take on Mildenhall Town on Friday night.

Clark said: "There is still a lot to work on but the players have done extremely well and worked hard so far. There is no soft tissue, we've played two games and had two training sessions in a week.

"The Norwich game was a always going to be a physical hit but that's what we wanted.

"We won't play anyone as good as Norwich during the season. They created more chances than us but I thought we pressed really well for the first 25 minutes.

"There are a few tactical bits that we will need to work on. We need to be switched on tactically because good managers will change things in games and we need to be ready to react to that."

The Linnets have completed two more signings with Nathan Stewart putting pen-to-paper on a two-year deal following the 2-1 defeat against the Canaries.

Stewart, 19, made 64 appearances for United following his signing from Wroxham in November 2016, scoring nine goals.

He was named man-of-the-match in United's Norfolk Senior Cup victory over Downham Town at Carrow Road.

On his latest addition - Lynn's sixth signing of the summer - Clark said: "I'm delighted to get Nathan on board at this football club.

"He's been in a couple of weeks and I'd like to thank Norwich United for that.

"Nathan has got pace, strength, a quickness in his feet and is very comfortable on the ball.

"Defensively he is really disciplined and you don't normally get that with his type of player.

"He is very strong off the first five yards but is also aerobically quick which means he can go up and down the pitch and still do the quick stuff in the pockets too.

"He is still young and very raw, but hopefully he will listen and learn and go forward with us."

Earlier on Friday, Lynn tied up a deal for midfielder Jordan Richards who signed for the club from Gainsborough Trinity for an undisclosed fee.

Nottingham-based Richards began his career as an Academy graduate with Notts County where his late father, Pedro, played almost 400 games.

After gaining experience at both Boston United and Sligo Rovers, Richards become increasingly involved with the first team squad at Meadow Lane, making 16 appearances in all competitions by the end of the season.

In July 2017, Richards signed for National League North side Gainsborough Trinity, despite receiving offers from football league clubs.

"I expect big things of Jordan," admitted Clark.

"He has played at a good level but that was his first game on a football pitch this year.

"I thought he came in and did okay. He loves to get on the ball, is athletic, very creative and also loves to have a dig."