Reeling York City have suffered a major defensive blow on the eve of tomorrow's crunch game in hand at Reading.

Player-coach Neil Thompson is out of the history-making trip to the Royals' Madejski Stadium with a recurrence of the Achilles problem that sidelined him from the two previous City outings.

Thompson was today accompanied by stricken midfielder Alan Pouton on a visit to a specialist, the latter's absence to an Achilles injury now stretching to worrying proportions.

Pouton has been out of action for a month now since he turned his ankle in training.

The extent of the damage has gone deep into the area around the Achilles prompting the consultation with the specialist.

Sighed manager Alan Little: "Of the two Pouton is the priority. There's been no sign of improvement and it needs to be sorted out."

The medical check for Thompson was more to give the defender 'peace of mind' after he reported the area to be stiff and sore after returning to action on Saturday's 5-0 Wigan woe.

But with Wayne Hall still confined to the treatment room with a hamstring injury then Gary Himsworth's long exile from senior action may well be at an end.

The transfer-listed Himsworth was on the verge of a comeback last week until he was hit by a bout of illness. Now recovered, his experience could be vital in tomorrow's clash at the Madejski Stadium.

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