AIDAN Connolly is set to offer new manager Gary Mills a welcome boost after Saturday’s game against Sutton United.

The Scottish midfielder has missed the last six games with a hamstring injury but is on course to return to action in the next game at Eastleigh on November 12.

Mills also revealed that he wanted to sign Connolly for Wrexham this summer but was pipped to the post by City!

Connolly’s absence has been a major loss for the Minstermen in recent weeks as they have plunged towards the National League relegation zone.

The 21-year-old made an immediate impression after his arrival from Raith Rovers and his form attracted interest from Championship clubs including Reading.

Mills confirmed: “The physio says it is looking good. Aidan will have another scan on Monday and, hopefully, he will be back in action against Eastleigh.

“We have been missing Aidan, in fact we have been missing a few players like Aidan, those players who can change games and make things happen.

“There is only so far you can go with hard work and every team needs players with an ability to change things.

“I know all about Aidan, I know he can play, and I nearly signed him myself at Wrexham,” Mills added.

“We didn’t make a bid - but he was definitely one we were looking at. It just didn’t happen for one reason or another and he signed for York instead.”

A former Scotland under-19 international, Connolly had spent the last four years plying his trade in Scottish football with Queens Park, Brechin, Dundee United, and Raith.

He spent over two years working under Jackie McNamara at Dundee and it was their relationship which played a key factor in his decision to sign for the Minstermen.

Ironically, McNamara has stepped down as City manager during Connolly’s absence but is now the club’s chief executive.

Striker Fraser Murdoch, meanwhile, has been released - after making just two appearances in a City shirt.

Free agent Murdoch, 21, had signed for the Minstermen last month after scoring two goals in a reserve team game against Chesterfield.

He made his debut as a substitute in the defeat at Barrow on September 24 and made his second and final appearance as a substitute in the 6-1 defeat at Guiseley ten days later.

“I had a look at Fraser when I was at Wrexham and he trained with our youth team but, as a manager, he is not for me,” commented Mills yesterday.

Murdoch had quit Crewe Alexandra at the end of last season in the hope of securing a move to newly-promoted Premier League side Burnley.

He trained at Turf Moor and played six pre-season games but ultimately failed to land a deal.

Darren Caskey’s appointment as York’s new assistant-manager has moved a step closer.

Manager Mills has made no secret of his desire to recruit his former Wrexham and Gateshead number two and Caskey has been working at Bootham Crescent without a title or contract this week.

Wrexham have now confirmed that the 42-year-old has tendered his resignation at the Racecourse Ground which opens the door for him to put pen-to-paper on a deal at Bootham Crescent.

“I wanted him to be around the players because I needed someone’s opinions on the players,” Mills said.

“I want him to assess and see if he had the same mindset as me about players who I believe are the ones who can help get us out of the situation we are in.

“We do work well together,” Mills added. “’Cas’ was happy to do that and we will take it from there.”

York’s under-18 team team will play Halifax Town in the first round of the FA Youth Cup next Wednesday, November 2, kick-off 7pm.

Steve Torpey’s side have beaten Garforth Town and Barton Town Old Boys 6-0 and 9-0 respectively in the previous two qualifying rounds of the competition.

Tickets cost £5 adults and £2 concessions.

The following evening, York supporters have an opportunity to question Mills, club owner Jason McGill, and chief executive McNamara at Open Forum being held at York Sports Club, Shipton Road, 8pm.

The event is free to enter on a first come, first served basis and all City supporters are welcome to attend.