Linnets striker Gash will be fighting fit for new season

Michael Gash believes he will reap the rewards of a full pre-season with King's Lynn Town.

The striker missed the majority of last summer's preparations after making a return from a serious cruciate ligament injury.

But with a full close-season ahead of him, Gash feels he can be even more instrumental in a Blue and Gold shirt next season.

Gash, who agreed a deal with Lynn on Wednesday, said: "I came back at the end of July and did a bit of training with other clubs, but I didn't have a full-on pre-season where you come in and work hard every time that you train.

"I think next season I will be even fitter, which I think will only benefit the club and myself and hopefully you'll see that through the season.

"All I wanted to do last season was play regular football and I managed to do that. I would have liked to have scored a few goals but I thought I contributed well to the team.

"We've now got a fresh start and, as players, we've got to get ourselves into the team and try to impress the new manager."

The Peterborough-based forward, who attracted the interests of a number of other clubs, said it wasn't a difficult decision for him to return to The Walks.

"It's always good to know that you are wanted, especially by a new manager. It was always in my mind about staying as I absolutely loved it here last season.

"It's a great non-league club and you only have to look at the two-play off games and the number of fans who came through the gates to see the real potential of the club.

"Everyone is working hard behind the scenes, players are staying from last season and, with the manager set to bring a few new faces in, you can only see good things happening."

Linnets boss Simon Clark had nothing but praise for the big striker, who found the back of the net 14 times in his first campaign in Norfolk.

Clark said: “Everyone spoke about Gashy being a pivotal figure for success at this football club. You need someone you can hit and also somebody who can score you goals and he can do both.

“He had offers from other clubs, but his heart, energy and motivation is at King’s Lynn and I’m delighted to get him over the line."

But as influential as the target man is in a Linnets shirt, Clark wants Gash to slow down when Lynn begin life in the Southern Premier Central League.

"The one criticism of Gashy, if there is one, is that he does too much running," admitted Clark.

"I don't want him to be running down the flanks. Of course he's got to press and work out of possession, but I don't want him chasing back 40 yards.

"He's 32 in September and I want him to save himself for his explosive moments higher up the pitch.

"Most players his age start to slow down, but Gashy's legs and enthusiasm are still there and that's a tremendous asset for this football club."