ALEX KEMPSTER and Steve McNulty could push for inclusion at the weekend at Alfreton Town, Micky Cummins confirmed on Thursday.

Club captain McNulty missed out on Tuesday against Hereford, having struggled following the Curzon Ashton draw, while Kempster was on the pitch from the off after starting the previous five on the bench.

Cummins said York City trained with a full squad in the week, indicating the potential return of McNulty, and Kempster's goal on Tuesday night puts him in consideration for another start.

Kempster began the season in scintillating form, scoring six times in the first 11 National League North games, but had not found the net since the December 3 trip to Hereford.

"We had a fully fit squad today," Cummins said.

"Al's come from part-time and it was a big ask to have a full season of the way he started.

"He's had his little dip. I thought he linked up really well with Fergy, showed good intelligence and composure in and around the box.

"He's staked a claim for another start. He had a good finish and hit the crossbar.

"It's good to see him back with confidence, quality and being a threat in the box.

"He's done himself no harm whatsoever in our eyes."

The absence of centre-back McNulty in the week saw the Minstermen play four at the back, rather than this season's favoured 3-5-2 formation.

On the veteran, Cummins added: "He's a serial winner. He's been in successful teams wherever he's been.

"It's no fluke he's done well. He's a calming influence on the two centre-halves, and he's an organiser.

"He's one in the changing room afterwards. He gets in the lads' heads, in their ears and he pulls lads to the side.

"He's fantastic in that side of things.

"We'll see a response, I'm sure."

City have brought in friend and former team-mate of McNulty, Adam Buxton, on loan from Morecambe. The defender - who won back-to-back promotions for Tranmere Rovers alongside McNulty - came off the bench in the second half against Hereford.

"He's intelligent," Cummins commented on Buxton. "A good footballer. He's comfortable with the ball at his feet, he can see a pass and he manipulates the ball well. He can play in numerous positions.

"He's another serial winner.

"I think he's one we can throw in and know we're going to get a good performance."

Saturday's opponents Alfreton have brought in a pair of new faces in left-sided player Andy Kellet - who has turned out for Manchester United Under-21s - from Fylde and defender Ethan Stewart from Nottingham Forest.

Since a poor run of 13 games - culminating in the 3-0 Boxing Day defeat at Telford - in which the Reds collected just nine points, Alfreton have picked up and lost just two of the last seven, earning 15 points.

"They're on a decent little run of form," added Cummins. "You know what Billy Heath's going to offer. They're going to be solid at the back and look for set pieces to get the ball in our box as much as possible.

"They've got other threats. Amari (Morgan Smith) is a good scorer.

"We're expecting a physical battle but, in tactical terms, we're going to look to play in their half as much as possible."