Paddy Davitt King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins last night pulled out of the race for Cambridge City hitman Michael Gash after a club-record bid was rejected.Conference big-hitters Salisbury and Ebbsfleet are reportedly poised to offer four times Lynn's previous transfer record for the coveted striker - dwarfing Lyndon Rowland's £5,000 move from Halesowen in 1999.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn chairman Ken Bobbins last night pulled out of the race for Cambridge City hitman Michael Gash after a club-record bid was rejected.

Conference big-hitters Salisbury and Ebbsfleet are reportedly poised to offer four times Lynn's previous transfer record for the coveted striker - dwarfing Lyndon Rowland's £5,000 move from Halesowen in 1999.

Bobbins revealed Lynn will now step up discussions with two other high profile striker targets to try and bolster Keith Webb's title-chasing squad.

“We're not going to get into those type of auctions,” insisted Bobbins. “We made a bid which was rejected out of hand. They informed us they already have one bid four times that amount and expect another one as well. That is way out of our scope. I think with this season's television deal for Conference National clubs their budgets are completely different to ours.

“I was reasonably confident until I heard those figures being bandied about.”

Webb admitted his main focus was on tonight's Southern League trip to Hitchin (7.45pm).

“My priority right now is to win the Hitchin game,” he insisted. “We're asking about goalscorers and we're always on the lookout. I don't think anything would happen before the end of the week now but we'll wait and see. Whoever we bring in has to be quality and doing very well to force his way into the side if we maintain the weekend level of performance.”

Webb has some welcome selection dilemmas, with skipper Mark Warren included in the squad after missing Lynn's recent title push with a hamstring injury. New Cambridge City midfield recruit Kieran Deane is available while Webb revealed Michael Frew (thigh) could also feature.

Defender Craig Fleming returned to the first team squad for the first time since October as an unused substitute against Rugby. The experienced centre back is poised for another watching brief after Lynn chalked up their first clean sheet in six at the weekend. Webb confirmed the ex-Norwich defender is still troubled by an ankle problem.

“He's not used to the non league scene and he's unsure how to react to his injury,” said Webb.

Lynn officials advise any travelling supporters to check the club's official web site before leaving for Hitchin with heavy rain forecast in the area.

t King's Lynn (from): Howie, West, Chapman, Camm, Crane, Warren, Sedgemore, Buhlemann, Fisk, Melton, J Defty, Turner, Bloomfield, Nolan, Francis, C Defty, Deane, Murray.