YORK City attacker Louis Almond is expected to be sidelined until March with a shoulder injury.

The former Tranmere and Southport winger is due to have an operation tomorrow, having missed the last three matches after an old problem flared up when he came off the bench during last’s month’s 3-2 home defeat to Tamworth.

Almond has netted twice in 15 outings since moving to Bootham Crescent in the summer.

He also remains top of the club’s assists table this term – two ahead of nearest rivals Sean Newton and Dan Parslow - having teed up seven goals, including all of the Minstermen’s efforts in the 5-0 August romp at Bradford Park Avenue.

On Almond’s setback, club physio Ian Gallagher said: "Unfortunately, it looks like he's going to be out for three to four months which is a blow for Louis and for us. He has done it previously when he was younger and he has, basically, undone that operation.

“It's more serious than we thought. He can do most things, but he's got an unstable shoulder which needs sorting."