LONG-SERVING York City stalwart Dan Parslow will be allowed out on loan to gain match fitness.

The Welsh utility man, who turned 29 yesterday, has been made available for a short-term move to teams in the Conference, having yet to make a senior appearance for the Minstermen following his nine-month lay-off due to cruciate ligament damage.

Aside from a half-hour run-out during City’s last pre-season friendly against Sheffield United, Parslow’s first-team activity has been restricted to unused substitute status since his return to the Bootham Crescent fold.

With centre-backs Keith Lowe, John McCombe and Dave Winfield all providing competition for Parslow in his preferred position, Minstermen chief Nigel Worthington has decided, ahead of tomorrow’s trip to table-topping Burton, that the time is right for the latter to get some matches under his belt.

Former Cardiff City apprentice Parslow has only ever played senior football for the Minstermen and, with 316 games to his name, is 17th on the club’s all-time appearances list.

On his plans for Parslow, Worthington said: “Dan has not played a wealth of football since he came back from injury, so for him to get a month’s football playing regular games would be good. I wouldn’t want him to go to any of our League Two competitors, so we are probably looking at Conference level and somebody who wants a reliable centre half who is also good on the ball in midfield.

“It’s early in the season and not too many teams will have picked up injuries but, if you are looking for a player who is experienced, leads by example and is a good professional, he would be great to have at your club. It’s just a matter of finding the right team that suits us and suits him.”

Worthington added that he believes the team’s next three matches could prove whether the club can be promotion candidates again this season.