Adam Lakeland admits he has a big decision to make over the number one shirt as King’s Lynn Town face two top-six sides within the space of four days this week.

Paul Jones is fit again after a knee problem which has sidelined him for the past three games, during which his deputy Pat Boyes has conceded just once as Lynn added seven points to their tally.

But Lakeland is mindful of the challenge that faces his team on Tuesday at Spennymoor and then on Saturday at Chorley, teams who are 11th and top of the National League North table respectively.

Added to the keeper conundrum is the absence of Josh Hmami, for Tuesday at least, and a doubt over fellow midfielder Tommy Hughes, who was substituted before half-time in the goalless draw with Leamington on Saturday.

Jones could have featured against Leamington but Lakeland played it safe – and Boyes rewarded him with a fine save in time added on at the end of a half when he had little else to do.

“For me, that's what the best goalkeepers do,” said Lakeland. “When you have very little to do, you've got to stay switched on in games, because certainly against a team like them, who do have moments and will go for 90-plus minutes, he's obviously had that save to make right at the end. If he switches off then he maybe doesn't make the save and we are stood here feeling awful.

“It's not the ones who are making seven, eight saves every game. You only have to look at how Paul Jones has done for us, for years, but certainly since we've been at the club, they make big saves at big moments, when they've not had a great deal to do so it’s a big save by him and it would have been a crime if we'd have got done there at the end.

“Paul's our number one, but it's so important that you have a really competent number two and in Pat we've seen that we've got one, and he's only going to get better.

“We've got now two really difficult away games against two big, physical sides, strong from set-plays, so we'll have to have a look.

“Paul trained for the first time on Friday and was fine, but we are in a position because of how well Pat’s done that we could give Paul the extra few days.

“We’ve got a decision to make on Tuesday, which we'll make ahead of that game, but Pat should be really proud of how he's acquitted himself in these last three games, and if he does get the shirt again on Tuesday night, then I have no doubt that he'll be ready to go.”

Spennymoor and Chorley will test Lynn's credentials, but the difficulty of the task is nothing new for a side currently on a run of five league games unbeaten. 

“They're all tough, aren't they? Boring old answer, but they are, they're all difficult games,” said Lakeland. “Spennymoor are a good side. They were beaten at home by Chorley., who are also a very good side and we go to them next weekend, so two difficult games, but we're in decent form and we have just got to go up there on Tuesday night and put in a big performance and try and come away with some kind of result."

Meanwhile, the Linnets have been handed an away tie at Leamington in the FA Trophy. Full details of the fixture have yet to be released.