YORK City Steve Watson has said the loan of Kyle McFarlane to Stratford Town "is the sensible thing to do".

The 22-year-old has featured twice off the bench for City and made one start, when he was replaced at half-time against Buxton.

He joins Step 3 side Stratford on a month-long loan.

Understandably, Watson wants to get a better look at the new recruit, who could come in useful for a busy Christmas fixture schedule.

"The fact is it's been very, very tough - and it's the same with Macaulay Langstaff and Elliott Durrell - to get these lads starts because the lads who are playing have been doing everything right," Watson explained.

"The obvious thing to do is get them out there and playing.

"The reason the loan is no longer than a month is because the spell in December is going to be really busy.

"It's the sensible thing for him and us.

"He came on last week but he's only played a hundred-odd minutes. It's not enough time for us to assess where he's at. We want to see him in competitive football.

"I think Kyle was just desperate to get out and play."

McFarlane is contracted at York until the end of January.