WISBECH Town boss Steve Appleby has insisted that his approach for King’s Lynn Town winger Jamie Thurlbourne will not burn the bridges built with their fiercest rivals.

Cambs Times: Steve Appleby.Steve Appleby. (Image: Archant)

Appleby thought he had a good chance of landing his target after Linnets boss Gary Setchell waived his seven-day approach on Friday.

But, after Lynn star Steve Spriggs left for Boston United, Thurlbourne held talks with Setchell and indicated that he would remain at The Walks.

Appleby said: “Jamie was keen to come but then Spriggs left and I think Setch told Jamie he would get more game time. If Setch and Jamie say it’s over, then it’s over.

“When a player of Jamie’s quality becomes available you have to ask the question - and that’s all we did.

“Myself and Setch have spoken. We are fine. We have tried to build bridges between the clubs and we have done. We’re certainly not going to ruin that over this approach.”

Appleby said his swoop for Thurlbourne did not necessarily mean he was looking to bolster his squad.

“I’m very happy with what I’ve got,” he said. “We’ve got some good lads and we’re heading in the right direction.

“But football never stands still and if you can improve and the right person becomes available then you would be silly not to go down that road.”

Weather permitting, Wisbech travel to Gornal Athletic tomorrow for the FA Vase fourth-round clash which was postponed on Saturday.

The Fenmen have not played in a fortnight - but Appleby has held emergency training sessions in the snow and indoors.

“If you’re not match fit at this time in the season then there’s something wrong,” he said. “The fact is that the rests have been good and we’ve come back fresh.

“The lads are full of confidence. We’ve won our last two games 5-1 so we should still go into tomorrow flying.”

If Wisbech see off Gornal they will be rewarded with a mammoth trek to Cornwall or Northumberland as they have been drawn away to Bodmin Town or Ashington in the last 16.