SATURDAY’S super-sub Yan Klukowski is expected to be ruled out of York City’s FA Trophy semi-final, first leg clash with Lincoln.

Klukowski climbed off the bench to help City secure a dramatic point against Sutton at the weekend, delivering the corner for Scott Fenwick’s 89th-minute goal, before spectacularly blasting in a free kick deep into stoppage time, as the game finished 2-2.

But he has since suffered a recurrence of the calf problem that has limited his outings in recent weeks.

City are also sweating on the availability of two other players, who were unable to train today due to a sickness bug.

“We might have three players missing from the weekend,” City chief Gary Mills pointed out.

“I don’t want to highlight who the players are with the sickness bug and I’m hoping they will be alright but, if they aren’t, it will be a bit of a blow and a couple of youth-team players would have to go on the bench.”

Mills went on to reiterate that the club’s battle against relegation, meanwhile, must not overshadow the bid to reach Wembley, insisting: “This isn’t a distraction.

“I’ve got the Wembley bug and we’ve got two big games against Lincoln to get there, which is a fantastic feeling. You shouldn’t be in the game if you don’t get excited by these opportunities and this is not the stage to go out at.

“Lincoln have never been to Wembley, so they will be desperate to get there, but we know what it tastes like and want a bit more. If we got relegated and then played there, I’d have to see at the time what the reaction would be, but I’m not thinking about that.

“I want to celebrate staying up – as wrong as that sounds - and kicking on again as a football club at Wembley.”

Mills added that National League leaders Lincoln will be strong adversaries, but also suggested tomorrow’s visitors will be wary of his team, who drew 1-1 at Sincil Bank last month and have only lost two of their last 16 matches.

“It’s a tough challenge against a team who are absolutely flying and have been totally focussed in every competition this season,” Mills reasoned. “They will probably change personnel for the game, but they won’t change the way they play and, whoever comes up against Lincoln in our division this season, will be underdogs.

“It’s obvious we are if you look at the league, but I don’t think they’ll under-estimate us because their management know they’re not playing the same team they scored four past in the league. We weren’t far off hopeless that night, but were a team in transition and I feel we can get a result against anybody now.

“It would be ideal if we can get ourselves a lead going to Lincoln, but two-legged ties change things slightly. If you’re a goal down in the 90th minute, for example, you might not necessarily chase an equaliser at the risk of conceding another goal, knowing you’ve got another 90 minutes still to come.”

The City boss has suffered a setback, meanwhile, in his bid to bring a Football League midfielder to Bootham Crescent, but has not given up on that deal and is intending to recruit at least one more player before the transfer deadline a week on Thursday.

“The one I’ve been wanting played for his club on Saturday, so that was a bit of a blow to my chances of getting him, but you never know in football,” Mills explained. “Things happen and, while they wouldn’t be able to play for us until after Saturday now, I would still consider bringing somebody in this week so they can get a feel for the place.”