Midfield starlet Christian Fox will go under the surgeon's knife tomorrow and could be out of action until mid-December.

"He is going to have an operation on Thursday on a torn cartilage which will rule him out for between four and six weeks," explained York boss Terry Dolan, still suffering an already extensive casualty list.

Fox, 19, was just working his way back to full fitness after a hamstring injury when his knee puffed up after Saturday's draw with Leyton Orient. An examination by a knee specialist has now deemed the Aberdeen-born youngster needs surgery.

"His season has just never started and he has had one injury after another." lamented Dolan.

"I just want him to get fully-fit and then match fit and let me see what he can do because everyone is telling me what he can do and unfortunately I have not seen it yet."

In better news on the injury front for the City chief, both Wayne Hall and Kevin Hulme are to play in tonight's Avon Insurance League reserve team game with Blackpool at Bootham Crescent, kick-off 7pm.

Ironically, midfielder Hulme has been out of action with a hamstring injury suffered playing for the reserves against Darlington last month.

His return to fitness will be a big boost to Dolan, who now looks likely to lose skipper Steve Agnew for the home encounter with Torquay United on November 11.

Agnew picked up his fifth booking of the season at the Shay last night and automatically picks up a one-match ban.

Hall has been ruled out with a thigh injury picked up in the senior team's 2-1 home win over Mansfield earlier this month.

"If they can come through okay we will be getting back to what we are looking for," said Dolan.

"Mark Sertori coming back has helped matters to a degree at the back last night because when you are missing so many players it is bound to effect you. He is experienced and you need that at any level."

The reserves' line-up also includes four strikers - James Turley, Barry Conlon, John Williams and Colin Alcide.

City Reserves: Howarth, Thompson, Hall, Jordan, Reed, Jones, Turley, Hulme, Conlon, Alcide, J Williams. Subs: Fielding, Collinson, Wood, Ormston, Gowan.