BLYTH Spartans will be missing star striker Daniel Maguire for tonight’s home match with York City after he was crocked at the weekend by ex-Bootham Crescent midfielder Tom Platt.

Former Halifax Town forward Maguire was named Evo-Stik Premier League Player of the Year last term as he plundered 30 goals to help his team win the northern title.

But the 24-year-old marksman is set for three weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury, following a late challenge by Platt, which was punished by a yellow card as Spartans slumped to a 2-0 opening-day defeat at Alfreton.

Maguire’s strike partner Jordan Laidler, meanwhile, also limped out of the action in the same contest and is facing a lengthier lay-off due to a knee problem.

The double blow means Blyth face a battle to field a competitive frontline – a department that manager Alum Armstrong had already identified for strengthening before the Alfreton clash.

Former Stockport and Ipswich striker Armstrong, now 42, guided Spartans to promotion following his appointment last September.

City, meanwhile, will be bidding to become the first visiting side to avoid defeat at Croft Park since Altrincham won a 2-0 FA Trophy tie on December 10.

Armstrung’s men rattled off 12 consecutive wins on their own soil after that defeat, scoring 44 goals and conceding just 10.