YORK City will be without suspended new signing Daniel Nti for Saturday’s National League curtain raiser at Maidstone.

But Richard Brodie should be available after recovering from the foot injury he suffered in pre-season at Harrogate.

A possible move for trialist Deane Smalley, meanwhile, has been put on hold with the former Plymouth and Oldham striker having picked up a groin injury.

Winger Nti, who was recruited for £4,000 from Worcester City, picked up a one-match ban in April after being sent off during a National League North match at Lowestoft for two bookable offences.

On his absence, City chief Jackie McNamara admitted: “It’s quite a blow for us but, at least, the games come thick and fast at the start, so he won’t be missing for too long.”

Brodie limped out of the action during City’s penultimate pre-season friendly at Harrogate, which ruled him out of last weekend’s final warm-up match against a Newcastle United XI, as well as the club’s Official Golf Day on Monday.

But the 29-year-old striker has resumed training and is in contention for Saturday’s 12.15pm kick off with McNamara adding: “Richard Brodie is a lot better and is back in training.

“He had an x-ray and he says he’s fine now, so he should be available for the weekend.”

McNamara was mulling over whether to draft in 6ft forward Smalley if Brodie was unavailable for the Kent clash, but the City boss now intends to run the rule over the Lancashire-born free agent next week instead.

“Deane Smalley has picked up a groin injury that means he can’t do anything until Monday, which is a bit of a nightmare for him, as an out-of-contract player, but we still want to have a good look at him,” McNamara revealed.

Full-backs Lanre Oyebanjo and Ben Barber are both now training, but are unlikely to feature at Maidstone having played no part in City’s pre-season programme with McNamara reasoning: “Lanre has done a lot of running, but the weekend could be too soon for him.

“Ben Barber is also training, but he’s got a good bit to catch up on everyone.”

Defenders Ben Clappison (hip) and Josh Robinson (back) are expected to be back in contention, while striker Reece Thompson should be involved despite missing two days of training with a stomach problem.

Goalkeeper Scott Flinders is fit after missing the Newcastle game with a shoulder niggle and McNamara confirmed that the former Hartlepool shot-stopper would start the season between the sticks, following the arrival of ex-Watford net-minder Luke Simpson.

“Scott will be the number one, but Luke is doing very well and gives us good competition,” McNamara pointed out.

City will have also completed two days of training on Harrogate Town’s artificial surface prior to travelling south for their opening fixture on Maidstone’s 4G pitch.