YORK City boss Russ Wilcox has suggested he might spring some surprises when he selects his side to kick off the new season at Wycombe Wanderers on Saturday.

But last season's ten-goal top scorer Jake Hyde will not be among them despite making a goalscoring return to action during this week's behind-closed-doors victory over Doncaster Rovers.

Hyde had missed the whole of pre-season prior to that run-out and, while he could make the trip to Adams Park, the 25-year-old forward will not be considered for first XI duty.

On his starting line-up views, the City chief said: "During pre-season, you want to be putting a side together that resembles what you are going to start with. You're looking at different combinations up front, in midfield and at the back because you want people to gel together and get used to each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"But there could be a couple of surprises at Wycombe. You think you might have a plan but the Halifax game may have given me reason to rethink."

Highlighting the need to nurse Hyde back into the fold following his calf injury, Wilcox added: "Jake played two of the four 20-minute periods against Doncaster. He wanted to play a third but we pulled him out because we've got to make sure that, when he comes back, he's ready to go for the full season.

"He's a key player in the squad but he's only trained three or four days and has missed five weeks in pre-season, which is a huge chunk. We've got five games in the first 15 days and we must ease him back carefully and manage him correctly."

Following City's sluggish starts to the last two Sky Bet League Two campaigns, Wilcox is keen to avoid the same scenario in 2015/16 but feels the beginning of October will provide the most accurate barometer of the team's fortunes when the club have racked up a dozen outings following the home clash with Cambridge. "It's of huge importance to get off to a good start and that's not just one game," Wilcox argued. "I'd say you probably need to look where you are after the first 12.

"The table doesn't change much after that. Teams tend to stay where they are and Southend were the only side that had a poor start last season but ended up climbing the table.

"I think our supporters understand where we are at the moment and that what we are trying to achieve might take time but it's League Two, which is so open, so everyone is excited. I have been encouraging the players to look at the new signings and the strength in depth we have got and, when you do, you ask yourself why can't we push for that top half?"

Wilcox also reasoned that last season's beaten play-off finalists Wycombe could be under more pressure to take the points than their visitors, pointing out: "I think they were in the top three for the first 44 games so they will have been disappointed not to have gone up.

"Really, they had a magnificent season having only stayed up on goal difference the one before, but it could be an advantage to go away for the first game because they will be expected to get off to a good start."

Wilcox, meanwhile, is intent on avoiding the kind of opening day nightmare he suffered last term at previous club Scunthorpe.

He revealed: "You never know what you will get on the first day. Last season, with Scunthorpe, we were 2-0 down against Swindon after three minutes, had a player stretchered off on four and then another one sent off with half-an-hour gone, so you've got to be ready for what this game throws at you."

Michael Coulson and Emile Sinclair will not be considered in Buckinghamshire having missed pre-season with heel and thigh problems respectively.

City manager Wilcox, though, is backing the latter to illustrate his worth to the club when he regains fitness following an indifferent start to his Bootham Crescent career since his arrival in January.

"Emile sprinted for the first time yesterday, which is a big bonus because his game is all about speed and I want him firing when he comes back," Wilcox said.

"He's not had a great time since being at the club but history shows he's got quality. He's scored goals at Championship and League One level and that doesn't go away over night.

"He's all about pace and power and I hope our fans will see that further down the line this season."