Paddy Davitt King's Lynn boss Carl Heggs revealed he had been priced out of a move for a Conference North striker on the eve of the club's FA Trophy second round qualifying tie at Whitby.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn boss Carl Heggs revealed he had been priced out of a move for a Conference North striker on the eve of the club's FA Trophy second round qualifying tie at Whitby.

Heggs refused to break the cash-strapped Unibond Premier Division outfit's wage structure to land the experienced former football league hitman.

“He's on �600 a week and that is just too much money to bring him here,” said Heggs. “I've told the chairman if we're in and around the play-offs or even higher with ten games to go then it's worth throwing a bit of money at it - maybe �1,000 a week more. You'd hope the crowds would be up anyway for the home games so we would be generating more through the gate. If we've slipped away then let's pay off some of the bills and build for the future.”

Nigerian youth international defender Bobby Aisien is expected to agree a permanent deal today following his release from Conference Premier Rushden and Diamonds.

“I've offered him a contract which he has accepted but he's taken it away to discuss with his family,” said Heggs. “I'm confident he'll sign before the game and that will be five players here at the club who are all under 21 and on contract.

“Rushden might have the hump with me a little bit because he was on a week to week and he's gone back to them and told them he loves it here. He's playing regular first team football and feels a part of something. I have to do what is right for my club. They recalled him for the FA Cup the other week so I said go and find out where you stand. I guess he did but he's a raw, talented footballer and there is something to work with from my point of view.”

Lewis Webb is also set to land an improved deal next month after a recent approach from UCL promotion hopefuls St Neots. Webb and Aisien start against Whitby with Torquay United-bound Leicester loan signing Lathaniel Rowe-Turner switching to left back.

“Lathaniel has been training down there all week,” confirmed Heggs. “They're one of the clubs that came and watched him play for us. I've said all along I knew there were four or five clubs at our games but I didn't know Torquay were one, to be honest.

“When his loan deal expires here I expect him to sign for them. It's a boost for us and him because at Leicester they told him he was surplus to requirements and he wasn't going to play in the first team. He's come to us, played games and now got a move back into the Football League.

“Lewis is not going anywhere. His current deal is up in a fortnight or so and I've already negotiated a new one which is in place for when it runs out.”

Heggs believes his radical overhaul of the club's playing staff is now beginning to bear fruit following his close season arrival.

“I'm confident and happy with how things are going,” he said. “We've got Whitby in the cup and Durham at our place next week and if we come through those games then that is only one defeat in our last ten which is a transformation from where we were. After the first few games it wasn't working and I had to change it. If I didn't, I would probably have had the sack by now.”

Heggs, however, admitted in hindsight mistakes were made following a whirlwind entrance at The Walks.

“The biggest regret I have is not giving the existing squad a chance to come back so I could have a look at them for a couple of weeks,” he said. “I was just thrown the keys and told to get on with it. I took advice from my assistant manager at the time and looking back I do kick myself. I see the lad (Andrew) Fisk scored for Lowestoft again in midweek and he is a good player who would have been a decent addition.

“I knew about Adam Smith as well from my friend Guy Branston who was at Peterborough around the same time as him. We spoke to him but the message I got back was he wasn't too keen. I'm big enough to acknowledge that mistake and if I move on in my managerial career I'll never allow it to happen again. But I still feel we've turned a corner with this group of good, hungry, young players.”