YORK City boss Russ Wilcox is looking to bolster his strikeforce following the news that Jake Hyde will be sidelined until November.

Hyde has undergone a double hernia operation, prompting Wilcox to scour the loan market with Vadaine Oliver, Reece Thompson, Emile Sinclair and Callum Rzonca his current striking options.

Of that quartet, Sinclair has not started a game since returning from the thigh injury he suffered six months ago, Thompson has endured groin problems since his summer switch from Frickley and first-year pro Rzonca is yet to make his full debut.

The Press understands that Wilcox has been running the rule over a trialist striker this week and the City boss admitted: "We have had to be reactive following the news about Jake because offensively is where we've been light and we don't want to leave ourselves short at the top end of the pitch with any more injuries so we are always looking around and trying to improve.

"But, on the positive side, Michael Coulson will be back in training on Monday and he did the warm-up and some passing drills with us today so we will, hopefully, be getting a quality player back into the team. Emile Sinclair also got his first full 90 minutes for the reserves since March in a 2-2 draw against Sheffield Wednesday this week and he looked stronger as the game went on which is a positive for him and us."

Hyde has been limited to one start and four substitute outings this term after struggling with the problem through pre-season and Wilcox added: "Jake has had a hernia operation after going to see a specialist.

"Both sides have had to be repaired and that could mean we're without him for a couple of months which is a blow. You want as many good players at your disposal as possible and he's a quality player who was top scorer last season."

The City boss would appear to have one selection dilemma ahead of Saturday's away match with Stevenage as he decides whether to recall skipper Russell Penn in place of Eddie Nolan after the former missed last weekend's 3-0 victory at Newport due to a long-standing foot problem.

"Russ will be back which is a big boost because he is a key member of the squad and, having him available, makes us stronger," Wilcox reasoned. "There was inflammation to his foot but no fracture and he trained with us today so, hopefully, he's over that now and we'll have to wait and see what happens.

"Eddie Nolan has had a good week's training. We changed things around a bit last week away from home and we're away again this week."

City will travel to Hertfordshire in good spirits following their victory last weekend but Wilcox is also expecting to face a buoyant host team, who are bidding for a third straight win on their own soil having beaten Plymouth (2-1) and Hartlepool (2-0) in back-to-back Broadhall Way fixtures.

"It's a difficult game," Wilcox admitted of his side's next test. "They have won their last two home games, so they will be a different kettle of fish to Newport and will have massive confidence going into their arena.

"They have a different philosophy now under Teddy Sheringham. They have been playing 4-4-2 and like to get the ball out wide to create opportunities to score but we will go there in a positive mood too."

Wilcox went on to stress the importance of this week's reserve fixture for scholars such as Cameron Wilson, who got both City goals from wing-back.

He said: "We've played reserve games against Leeds, Sheffield Wednesday and Gateshead now. We have also got Hartlepool and Middlesbrough to play at home as well in the Development League Cup and it makes so much sense to get these games to give the young kids the opportunity to step in and play alongside the pros.

"Cameron Wilson scored twice and it was like a first-team game for him playing alongside people like Emile Sinclair and John McCombe. For the seasoned pros, they are difficult games mentally but you need them to get minutes under your belt."