ATTACKING talisman Aidan Connolly has been declared fit for York City’s home match with Dagenham tomorrow after missing the last eight games due to hamstring trouble.

Connolly, 21, has been sidelined since being stretchered off on October 1 during a 1-0 reverse against Aldershot.

He had been the team’s biggest creative spark up this season prior to the setback and been scouted by Championship outfit Reading with City boss Gary Mills looking forward to welcoming him back into the fold, having taken over in charge from Jackie McNamara during Connolly’s absence.

“Aidan has trained really well all week and is available, which is a big plus for us,” Mills enthused. “He’s made me smile with some of the things he’s done in training.

“He’s capable of making things happen in games and I think the way I want to play will suit him as well.”

But Alex Whittle will not feature against the Essex high-fliers, having failed to recover from the hamstring problem that saw him limp out of the action during last weekend’s 1-1 draw at Eastleigh.

Sean Newton is back from a one-match suspension, though, with Mills adding: “Alex Whittle isn’t fit, which is another blow, but it’s good to have Newts back and he’ll go straight back in. There’s no doubt about that.”

Fellow defenders Jack Higgins and Josh Robinson are also available again following suspension and injury respectively, but are not expected to feature.