FORMER York City striker Jon Parkin will rejoin the club tomorrow morning subject to a successful medical at Bootham Crescent.

The 6ft 4in forward, who turns 35 next month, is set to arrive initially on loan from Sky Bet League Two strugglers Newport County, before completing a permanent deal in January.

Parkin played for City between 2002 and 2004, moving on to Macclesfield two months before the club’s first relegation from the Football League.

In a career that has seen him ply his trade at 14 different clubs, including the likes of Hull, Stoke and Cardiff, Parkin has 175 goals to his name in 575 games.

He hasn’t played for Newport since scoring the consolation in a 3-1 home defeat to Plymouth on October 22, but has hit the net four times in ten league outings since a summer switch from Forest Green.

City chief Gary Mills watched his team struggle again in the final third during a 1-1 home draw with relegation rivals Guiseley this evening, as Jake Cassidy’s 85th-minute equaliser cancelled out teenage sub Callum Rzonca’s first senior goal.

But Mills believes the addition of Parkin will give his team the attacking presence it has been missing. “Jon Parkin will be signing for us subject to a medical,” Mills revealed. “We’ve managed to get him to come to us and we need some men up there in attack.

“He’s experienced and a great character, who I’m sure will give all the players a lift when he comes into the dressing room. He will give us something a bit different and he knows this league and understands the game, including when to get in front of your man and get a foul, rather than giving one away.

“I’m looking forward to having him here because you know, if the ball goes into the box, whether it’s from a set-piece or in general play, he has the presence to win it and score goals. He’s looking forward to coming here too and the challenge of where we are doesn’t frighten him.

“He’s told me it inspires him, because he wants to help us out of it and I’m sure he will.”

Mills started with rookie 20-year-olds Jake Charles and Robbie McDaid again against Guiseley and added: “We weren’t good enough up there and we need better.”

Having seen Rzonca come on and score a spectacular goal, though, he did praise the 19-year-old attacker’s cameo role, saying: “Young Callum has done OK since I came in.

“It was nice for him to get the goal and what a goal it was. I’m just gutted that we couldn’t get over the line and, when they had five 6ft-plus players on the pitch at the end, we’ve conceded a silly free kick that we haven’t then dealt with and it’s cost us a couple of points.”

City’s FA Trophy first round tie against Worcester City, meanwhile, has been confirmed for Saturday, December 10, kick-off 3pm.

The start time for the Minstermen’s Boxing Day trip to North Ferriby has also been brought forward to 12.30pm.