YORK City assistant manager Micky Cummins says he and boss Steve Watson will be "out and about" this weekend.

This round of fixtures starting Saturday sees the first round of the FA Trophy, a competition York exited at the previous stage at the hands of Altrincham.

But the Minstermen's management and scouting team will be using the break profitably.

As well as being able to give injured players extra time to recover in time for Christmas, Watson and Cummins also have a chance to look at upcoming opposition.

York's packed festive schedule comprises Saturday home games against Darlington and Guiseley either side of a Boxing Day trip to Bradford Park Avenue, who are also the visitors on New Year's Day. A visit to Southport wraps it up.

All bar Guiseley are in Trophy action on Saturday, Avenue at home to Halesowen Town, Southport at South Shields, and Darlington making a journey down to the West Midlands.

Asked how York would be using this weekend, Cummins said: "Watching games. Darlo are down at Solihull so we'll go and watch them. The gaffer will probably watch them, we'll have a scout out and we'll catch another game.

"There will be three games in all, be it opposition we've got coming up or teams above us - we're just out and about really."