YORK City are running the rule over former Crewe striker Fraser Murdoch.

The target man, who turns 21 this month, is a free agent having been released by the Sky Bet League Two outfit in the summer.

Murdoch plundered two goals for City reserves as a trailist during this week’s 3-1 home victory over Chesterfield when he joined first-year professional Nick Kennedy on the scoresheet.

Bootham Crescent chief Jackie McNamara has made it clear, meanwhile, that he is in the market for a new forward, having bemoaned the club’s over-reliance on five-goal leading marksman Richard Brodie.

Summer signing Scott Fenwick has only started four of the Minstermen’s 11 fixtures this term, while Reece Thompson left for North Ferriby United earlier this month and Vadaine Oliver remains on loan at Notts County until the turn of the year at least.

On-loan Sheffield United striker Jake Wright has extended his loan stay until the end of January but City, who also ran the rule over ex-Oldham and Plymouth frontman Deane Smalley over the summer, would still like to strengthen their attacking ranks and Murdoch’s reserve showing could land him a deal.

The Manchester-based forward featured for Crewe’s first team during pre-season in 2013/14 at the age of 17 and, after scoring six goals for the youth team that term despite suffering a knee injury, landed a pro deal at the end of that campaign, along with defender Perry Ng.

But unlike Ng, who has since made seven senior appearances for the Gresty Road club, Murdoch never made his competitive Crewe debut.

He has also been called up to the Scotland under-19 squad in the past but, following the Railwaymen’s relegation from Sky Bet League One last season, he was released along with ten other players, including high-profile casualties such as Canadian international Marcus Haber.

Wright, meanwhile, should be back in contention for Saturday’s National League away clash at Barrow.

Right-back Shaun Rooney will also be available after serving a one-match suspension for reaching five bookings and is expected to return at the expense of centre-half Ben Clappison who deputised in the position during last weekend’s 1-0 home defeat to Dover.

Long-term absentees Lanre Oyebanjo (calf) and Danny Galbraith (heel) remain on the sidelines having yet to feature this term, while Yan Klukowski is also still in the treatment room with his calf problem.

It is hoped that former Dundee United winger Aidan Connolly will figure, however, having struggled with a tight hamstring over the last fortnight – a problem that caused him to be replaced just past the hour mark against Dover.

City have not won at Barrow in six attempts – a sequence stretching back to a 2-0 triumph in 1971 when both teams plied their trade in the old fourth division.

The last four fixtures between the two clubs at the Cumbrians’ Holker Street home – all played at National League level - have ended 0-0.