YORK City manager Jackie McNamara needs more time to weigh up a deal for Deane Smalley.

The striker, who has been training with Morecambe after being released by Plymouth Argyle, played 45 minutes for the Minstermen against Newcastle United.

He has now been invited to train with the club as McNamara seeks to bolster his attacking options before next weekend's opening game of the season at Maidstone United.

"We wanted a look at him but he has been injured and was a wee bit rusty," said McNamara. "I would like a better look at him in training and then we will see what can be done.

"Deane has got a good pedigree and he is still relatively young," added the City manager. "I asked him if he could come along on Saturday and a play half a game."

Smalley, 27, spent nearly 12 months on the sidelines after snapping cruciate knee ligaments playing for Plymouth in December 2014.

He returned to action eight months ago but was loaned out to Newport County at the end of last season before being released.

Originally from Greater Manchester, he started his career at Oldham Athletic and had loan spells at Rochdale and Chesterfield before joining Oxford United five years ago.

He spent three seasons at Oxford and also played on loan for Bradford City prior to signing for Plymouth. He has been training with League Two Morecambe this summer.

McNamara revealed that he was looking for another striker last week after summer signing Richard Brodie suffered a foot injury against Harrogate Town.

Brodie is set to miss the start of the season which leaves only Reece Thompson and Nick Kennedy as cover for number one striker Scott Fenwick.

"It's the only position that is worrying me," said McNamara. "If something happened to Fenwick up the middle, we have got Reece, but not a target man who can bring others into play. I don't feel we have got a great deal of options there."

York's pre-season programmed ended in a 1-1 draw against a young Newcastle side at Bootham Crescent on Saturday afternoon.

Aidan Connolly put the Minstermen ahead before a Matt Fry own goal levelled the contest soon after the interval.

"Fitness wise, it was a good test, we did a lot of chasing about but there are little things we will need to improve before next week," said McNamara.

Goalkeeper Scott Flinders was not involved because of a shoulder problem and defender Jack Higgins was unavailable due to a family commitment.

Lanre Oyebanjo, Ben Barber, Ben Clappison, and Brodie all missed out through injury and centreback Josh Robinson limped off at halftime with a back problem.

"Hopefully, three or four of those will be fit by next weekend," said McNamara, who switched from his preferred 3-5-2 formation to a flat back four and midfield 'diamond' due to the absentees.