King's Lynn boss Keith Webb is challenging his promotion contenders to prove their mettle in today's Southern League, Premier Division showdown against Clevedon at The Walks.

King's Lynn boss Keith Webb is challenging his promotion contenders to prove their mettle in today's Southern League, Premier Division showdown against Clevedon at The Walks.

Lynn were knocked off top spot during midweek after slipping to a stoppage time 1-0 defeat in a bruising encounter at Mangotsfield.

Webb now wants his battered troops to end Clevedon's five-match unbeaten run on the road. The Seasiders have triumphed at title rivals Hemel Hempstead and Team Bath in recent weeks - but Webb insists Lynn are ready for another battle.

“You could say seven days is a long time in football,” he said. “We came off the pitch last weekend top of the league, everyone was buzzing and the dressing room was a great place to be. On Tuesday night they were so low and disappointed. There's no time for hangovers or feeling sorry for ourselves. Sometimes you don't get what you deserve. You just pick yourself up, dust yourself down and show people what you are made of. I don't care how we do it as long as we get three points.”

The Linnets' boss admits Lynn must toughen up to survive at the league's remoter footballing outposts.

“We were good for at least a point but paid for one moment of ill discipline,” he said. “The effort and commitment of the lads was tremendous, to go down there - in some cases 250-odd miles from home - on a tight, tight pitch with the wind howling. Mangotsfield were physical, didn't allow us to play but I'm making no excuses. We got beat on the night and I want a response.”

Webb is using next week's FA Trophy carrot at Cambridge United as the perfect incentive to his squad.

“I'll be saying to them before the game do they want to be a part of that big match,” he said. “It's a high profile tie with a large crowd but if they want to be involved they have to show me against Clevedon. It's a situation where they have to lay down a marker through their personal performance. If not they won't feature.”

Defender Ben Chapman (back) is poised to undergo a late fitness test after missing Lynn's previous five games. Midfielder Steve Melton returns to the squad after stepping up his comeback from knee surgery with a 90 minute reserve outing.

Michael Frew (thigh) is a major doubt after being left out at Cossham Street. Joe Francis is available despite breaking his nose against Mangotsfield and John Turner has shaken off a slight knock.

Craig Fleming (ankle) will see a specialist consultant after visiting the Norwich club doctor earlier this week.

Clevedon boss Phil Bater was at Cossham Street on Tuesday but refused to read too much into the surprise defeat for Webb's depleted team.

“I'm not sure whether they had a full side out for that long midweek trip,” he said. “I think it might be a different team against us.”

Kyle Bassett returns from suspension. Kevin Davies has shaken off the flu but Bater is unlikely to risk Rob Scott (knee).

King's Lynn (from): Howie, West, Lake, Chapman, Warren, Crane, Camm, Fisk, Defty, Melton, Turner, Bloomfield, Nolan, Francis, Murray, Mulryne, Buhlemann.