YORK City are hoping striker Wes Fletcher will be fit for the weekend after picking up a hamstring injury during the 2-0 Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat at Barnsley.

Second-half goals by on-loan Manchester City striker Devante Cole and Kane Hemmings clinched a first-round victory for the hosts after Fletcher had been withdrawn at the interval.

The Minstermen’s top scorer, making his first start since mid-February following his medial ligament injury, was replaced by Jake Hyde with manager Nigel Worthington keen to avoid more serious damage by keeping Fletcher on after the restart.

It is hoped that intervention will mean Fletcher can be involved in Saturday’s SkyBet League Two match at Stevenage.

Said Worthington: “Hopefully, Wes might be all right for Saturday because losing him (against Barnsley) probably affected us a bit.

“He holds the ball up for us and he shows the importance of keeping it up there when he plays.

“He’s strong, backs into defenders and, if he gets a half chance, he will have a pop at goal and that’s what we need at the moment.

“He had a tight hamstring, though, so there was no way I was going to risk him being out for a few weeks by keeping him on.”

Defeat left City still searching for their first victory seven fixtures into the new season, but Worthington was pleased by his side’s display against their higher-division opponents, who were plying their trade in the Championship last term.

He added: “We should have dealt with their first goal better but it was a good strike for their second.

“Otherwise, I thought our energy, commitment and quality, at times, was excellent.

“The way we knocked the ball about and took Barnsley on was very, very good.”