SIMON Russell will not play against York City during his loan spell with Blue Square Premier rivals Tamworth.

The Minstermen winger is hoping to make his Lambs debut during tomorrow’s home match with Salisbury, but Martin Foyle has blocked Russell playing any part when his team travel to Staffordshire on Tuesday, October 6.

Russell has joined Tamworth after failing to make any of Foyle’s 16-man squads this season, but the City boss added it was too early to determine whether the deal was with the view to a permanent move.

Foyle said: “He needs to play games of football and we will discuss his situation at the end of the month.

“He’s been hanging out for a number of months waiting for the right opportunity.

“Their manager Gary Mills hasn’t seen him play, but he’s going on the recommendation of an agent so it’s up to Simon to impress him.”

Foyle has also challenged Russell’s fellow fringe players at Bootham Crescent to catch his eye during upcoming reserve games.

City have fielded the same starting line-up for four consecutive Blue Square Premier games, but the Minstermen’s second string were given a run-out in a behind-closed-doors 0-0 draw against Bury this week, with the club having withdrawn from this season’s Pontin’s League.

Foyle said: “The game gave everybody a chance to top up their fitness and it was good of Alan Knill and Bury to come here. These games will give us a better standard of opposition than we’d face in the reserve league and they will also be important for the youth team players who need senior matches to develop quicker.

“There were a few positives, but it was clear some of our players needed a game and it’s up to them to impress and put themselves forward in these matches and training because I know there will be suspensions and injuries around the corner.

“We will be having another in-house practice match today and trying some players in different positions to have a look at them.”