YORK City are still hoping Wes Fletcher can play some part in their season despite the striker facing six weeks on the sidelines.

Scans have revealed that the 24-year-old forward suffered a hamstring tear during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at AFC Wimbledon but City boss Russ Wilcox believes there might be a chance that Fletcher could return for the final two games of the campaign – at home to Newport and away against Portsmouth.

Prior to being replaced after 13 minutes at Kingsmeadow, Fletcher had netted three times in four outings and looked to be rediscovering the form that bagged him 13 goals last season before he suffered medial ligament damage in March.

Wilcox, therefore, will be keen to call on his services for those last two fixtures if City still require points to stave off the threat of relegation from the Football League.

The City boss said: “Wes has an 8cm tear in his hamstring, which means he is likely to be out for six weeks. He could be back for Newport at a push and we will just need to keep assessing him because we want him back as quickly as possible.

“Every game is important now and three points from each match can make a massive difference.”

Wilcox went on to admit that the loss of Fletcher was a major disappointment for the club and player.

“It’s a big blow because he was looking the part during the last few weeks, especially against Cambridge and Tranmere,” the City boss pointed out. “He was the man in form and full of confidence.

“He looked like he was going to score goals every time he stepped out on to the pitch and has played a big part in making the team look more of an attacking threat again. It’s also a big blow for Wes personally because he has had his injury issues in the past and it took him a while to come back from the one at Portsmouth.”

Wilcox still has the likes of attacking trio Jake Hyde, Emile Sinclair and Diego De Girolamo at his disposal, but is now aiming to recruit another centre forward before the deadline for loan signings in two weeks’ time.

The Minstermen chief added: “I am hoping we can strengthen but we’ve had a couple of knock backs in the last two days. It’s very difficult to get players out of clubs at the moment, especially strikers.

“It doesn’t help that we are at the wrong end of the table, but we will keep trying and looking to get somebody in before the loan deadline. We have got other options and I know Michael Coulson could play up there but you can never have too many offensive players at a club.”