TYLER Walton has been brought back to Bootham Crescent because he is new boss Martin Gray’s “type of player”.

The combative 19-year-old midfielder was released by former manager Gary Mills in the summer after being given pro terms by the latter’s predecessor Jackie McNamara.

Walton had been initially spotted playing for Leeds Sixth-Form College by ex-Minstermen youth-team coach Jonathan Greening.

He had previously spent spells as a schoolboy with Leeds, Barnsley and Manchester City and went on to make his senior debut as a 54th-minute substitute for Yan Klukowski at the age of 17 during a 2-0 National League defeat at Torquay in September 2016.

Walton then parted company with City following relegation but, after impressing Gray during reserve games against Mansfield and Port Vale as a trilaist, has been given a second chance in North Yorkshire and made the bench for Saturday’s 1-1 home draw with Kidderminster.

On the reasons for recruiting Walton again, Gray enthused: “He’s been great. He’s come in and given us a real hunger and desire.

“He’s the type of player I like because he’s honest and it’s not just about how good you are on the ball – it’s about what you do off it as well. We had to work hard off the ball against Kidderminster at the weekend and Tyler is about that as well.”

Walton will travel to Walsall tomorrow for the Minstermen’s latest Central League North fixture at the Birmingham County FA’s Ray Hall Lane headquarters in Great Barr, kick-off 1pm.

On the significance of second-string outings, Gray added: “It’s useful for the lads who aren’t playing to get as many minutes as they can, but it also remains important to keep bringing the right personnel into the club.”

Gray has revealed, meanwhile, that he was not prepared to stand in Jon Worsnop’s way when the goalkeeper-coach wanted to resume his playing career with National League North rivals Southport.

Worsnop made his debut in Saturday’s 3-0 home defeat to Blyth Spartans and Gray said: “He’s gone to get some game time and that’s all it was about. I understand why he wanted to go as he’s 34 and, like Jon Parkin, he wants to play for as long as he can.”

Former Sunderland keeper Tony Norman filled in for Worsnop at the weekend, but a permanent successor has not yet been appointed.