YORK City boss Steve Watson has denied that out-of-favour striker Jake Wright is on his way out of Bootham Crescent.

The 22-year-old forward did not make either matchday squad for City’s bank-holiday Easter clashes against Spennymoor and Bradford Park Avenue, with teenage right-back Nathan Dyer selected ahead of him for bench duty against the latter.

Wright still has another season to run on his Minstermen contract, but Boston United manager Craig Elliott has already admitted that he would like to add the former Sheffield United reserve to his ranks following the end of a successful loan period with the Pilgrims last month.

Southport – another one of City’s National League North rivals who Wright has previously been loaned out to – are also believed to be admirers, but Watson has insisted no decisions have been made as yet on the Manchester-born forward.

Wright netted twice in four outings for Boston but has only managed five goals in 28 appearances this season for the Minstermen.

He was replaced after an hour after being played in a number-10 role during City’s 1-0 home win over Southport having been recalled from Boston.

A substitute cameo followed in the 2-2 draw at Chester before Wright lost his place in the matchday 16 but, addressing speculation surrounding the attacker’s situation, Watson said: “I honestly haven’t made a decision on Jake.

“He went out and looked sharp, but he’s not hit the ground running since coming back to us like Macca (Macaulay Langstaff) did. He’s somebody we will need to have a good chat about.”

Wright is one of seven senior City players under contract next season, along with Tom Allan, Jordan Burrow, David Ferguson, Kallum Griffiths, Sean Newton and Wes York.

Centre-back Allan had agreed a loan move to former club Alfreton until the end of the campaign prior to Watson’s arrival at Bootham Crescent in January, with the City chief suggesting that the 6ft 4in defender will be given a chance to prove his worth in pre-season.

“Tom hasn’t played much at Alfreton recently, so all I am looking at is what I see from him during training,” Watson pointed out. “I’ve not seen a lot of him outside of the club.

“He will more than likely be a big part of pre-season and we will see how he does then, as you can judge people a lot in pre-season games to see where they’re at.”

Watson has also revealed that he is already advanced in his recruitment plans for 2019/20, adding: “I’ve got a really strong idea about where I want to go next season.

“All managers have their targets and all that has been done, but there are no guarantees that I will get everybody I want. Time will tell, but I will be doing everything right and I will be talking to the players here first and explaining why I’ve come to certain decisions and what I need from players.”