York City manager Scott Lindsey has provided a detailed update on his squad's fitness ahead of Saturday's League Two trip to face Crewe Alexandra. The news comes after a narrow midweek defeat at Cheltenham Town in their first game back in the fourth tier.
Lindsey confirmed that forward Dipo Akinyemi trained on Thursday but may need more time before being considered for selection. "Dipo Akinyemi trained on Thursday," Lindsey told reporters. "He looked really good but he probably needs to do a full week before we consider him for selection." Meanwhile, midfielder Frankie Maguire is managing a painful case of plantar fasciitis. "Frankie has got a real sore plantar fasciitis in the bottom of his foot," Lindsey explained. "There have been times where he has come out onto the grass and has had a bit of a setback."
Defender Jack Hunt trained fully on Thursday and is available, providing a boost for the backline. The situation is more measured for other long-term absentees. Striker Josh Stones, who has not featured since last season, is targeting a return in early October. Young defender Zak Johnson is also working his way back and could be available later this month. This careful approach is possible because York City currently sit 9th in the League Two table with 8 points from their opening five matches, a position that affords some breathing room.
The Minstermen's campaign has been a mix of promise and frustration. They began with a victory over Crawley Town in the League Cup preliminary round. In the league, their record shows two wins, two draws, and one loss. Their goal difference stands at +1, having scored 9 and conceded 8. A look at the standings shows they are just four points behind early leaders Bristol Rovers, keeping them well within the early promotion conversation. Their recent form reads DLWDW, indicating a capacity to pick up points consistently.
Saturday's match at Gresty Road represents a chance for York City to bounce back immediately from Tuesday's loss. The team will be looking to players like Jovan Malcolm, who scored in each of his first two appearances for the club, to provide a cutting edge. Manager Scott Lindsey will be balancing the need for points with the long-term management of his squad's health. The full schedule of upcoming matches, including this key away day, is available on the fixtures page.
Following the Crewe Alexandra game, York City's attention will quickly turn to a significant home fixture. They host Swindon Town at Bootham Crescent on September 12th. Swindon currently sit 2nd in the table, making it a top-of-the-table clash that could have early implications for the shape of the league. Securing positive results in this busy period will be important for maintaining their position in the top half of League Two.
