YORK City striker Ben Everson has been farmed out on loan to Gateshead after making just two substitute appearances for the Bootham Crescent club.

Everson’s cameos have amounted to half-an-hour in total, following his January transfer window switch from Icelandic premier division club Breidablik.

The 25-year-old forward, who has also played for West Texas A&M University in the past, has joined Blue Square Bet Premier Gateshead on an initial one-month loan deal with Gary Mills hoping the spell will improve his fitness levels.

On the move, Mills said: “It’s to give him some games to get fit and sharper.”

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Michael Rankine’s return to North Yorkshire on loan from Aldershot has pushed Everson further down the pecking order for striking places with the Minstermen.

Top scorer Jason Walker and former Derry City forward David McDaid are also waiting in the wings for a chance.

As a consequence, Everson’s departure does not mean Mills will be looking to bring in an attacking replacement.

“No, we will get on with what we have got,” Mills explained.

City, meanwhile, travel to Oxford tomorrow bidding to complete their first League double of the season.

Goals from Paddy McLaughlin, Michael Coulson and Ashley Chambers secured a 3-1 home win over Chris Wilder’s men back in September with Mills adding: “We had a good win against them down here.

“They had won their first three games but we beat them convincingly and played very well on the day so it’s a good opportunity to go to Oxford, play in front of a decent crowd and get that result that we crave.

“We’ve got to make sure we pick up more points that will be valuable for us between now and the end of the season.”

The Minstermen, meanwhile, are seeing some progress in the treatment room.

Jon Challinor (broken fibula) and Lanre Oyebanjo (fractured skull) remain on the crocked list, but centre-backs David McGurk and Chris Doig are on the mend, as is long-term cruciate knee ligament casualty Michael Coulson.

Defensive stalwart McGurk has missed the last five matches with a hamstring problem, while Doig (ankle) has been out since Boxing Day.

On their current condition, Mills revealed: “David McGurk has trained for a couple of days. He won’t travel but should be back next weekend.

“Chris Doig is getting closer and Michael Coulson has done warm-ups with us this week, so that’s progression.”