Injured trio sit out York City’s charity clash at Huntington (From York Press)

Injured trio sit out York City’s charity clash at Huntington

12:00pm Friday 13th July 2012 in Sport By Dave Flett, Sports reporter

YORK City will be without new signing Oli Johnson, forward Ashley Chambers and defender David McGurk for tonight’s charity match at Huntington Rovers (kick-off 7pm).

Johnson and Chambers have both picked up minor knocks in pre-season training while McGurk is continuing his rehabilitation from the knee injury he suffered last season.

Long-term injury casualty Scott Kerr will also be missing for the friendly fixture against York Minster Engineering League outfit Huntington Rovers.

Otherwise, City will be sending a full first-team squad for the North Lane encounter, including summer signings Michael Coulson, John McReady, Danny Blanchett and Lee Bullock, while manager Gary Mills and new first-team coach Des Lyttle might also get some game time.

Mills said: “David McGurk is not quite ready yet and Ashley Chambers and Oli Johnson have also picked up small injuries. They missed training on Wednesday and it’s not worth risking them.”

The game is being held to raise money for Brain Tumour Research and Support and Leeds General Infirmary’s Ward 21, following the sudden and sad death of 29-year-old Rovers goalkeeper Steve Myers last August.

Mills added that honouring Myers’ memory will be the main focus of the evening, saying: “We got a letter from Huntington asking if we could send a signed shirt or a football to help to raise some money but, when I read it, I thought it would be nice to go and play a game. It’s all about the cause to be honest.

“It won’t be too serious – the players know that and I know that – it’s about raising money so I hope a lot of people turn up.

“It will be a run-out and a training game and myself and Des might even get ten minutes.

“Steve’s story was such a sad one and I am happy to help out a good cause whenever we can. It’s nice to put something back into the community and to help his family.”

City, meanwhile, have added another pre-season friendly to their schedule.

Mills’ men will now travel to Harrogate Railway Athletic on Tuesday night at 7.30pm exactly 24 hours before visiting Pickering Town.

On his plans for those games, the Minstermen chief added: “I just felt we needed one more game next week.

“They will both be first-team fixtures but we will have to decide whether players get two lots of 90 minutes or just play halves in both games.”

Transfer target Jonathan Smith is unlikely to feature in the matches but Mills remains optimistic that the combative midfielder will rejoin the Minstermen from Swindon before the new season kicks off.

He said; “I’m as confident as I can be that Jonathan Smith will be with us for next season but, until it’s done and dusted, you can never be 100 per cent sure. There’s just an issue that needs sorting out first.”

• Exeter City have lost a 12th player since their relegation into League Two at the end of last season.

Out-of-contract left-back Billy Jones has decided to move on to Cheltenham Town although the Grecians have moved quickly to snap up Craig Woodman, from Brentford, as a replacement.

Exeter’s Devon rivals Plymouth have recruited midfielder Jamie Lowry from Chesterfield but Torquay have parted company with Chris McPhee by mutual consent.

Elsewhere, Dagenham & Redbridge have brought in defender Gavin Hoyte following his release by Arsenal, while Michael Raynes has switched from Rotherham to Oxford.

Rochdale, meanwhile, have released defender Marcus Holness.