MICKY CUMMINS has stressed the importance of getting points on the board and laying down "a marker" ahead of tonight's trip to Southport.

With Saturday's game against Chester postponed, the Minstermen are now three games behind where they were scheduled to be at this stage of the season.

City currently sit eighth in National League North with five points on the board - eight behind pace-setters AFC Fylde and Gloucester City, and six off third-placed Southport, who are the highest-ranked side to have played six games.

"First and foremost, we need to play well, and come out of the blocks fast, look to be on the front foot," the assistant manager said.

"If we get an early lead in the game, we're capable of taking a step back and looking to work on the counter-attack.

"Certainly we need to get some points on the board.

"We've got some tricky games coming up, obviously Southport and Kidderminster.

"We're not going into games thinking they're going to be easy.

"We're going to set a marker down for the points we need if we are to be in and around where we want to be.

"We are conscious of what's coming up and possibly rotating the squad."

And squad rotation is something Cummins and manager Steve Watson are not afraid of.

Cummins explained: "There's no one in the squad where you think 'I'm not too sure about sticking them in'."

Not all of the squad will travel to Haig Avenue. Those who do not will do fitness and ball work in York, and may be involved on Saturday.

"It's not just about the 16 on the day," he added. "It's about the full group and keeping everyone's spirits high, making sure everyone feels a part of it - which they will be.

Jack Redshaw is nearing a return, having impressed in the practice match that York played instead of hosting Chester on Saturday.

Josh King trained on Monday but will not be available for Southport. Michael Duckworth had another of his hamstring injection programme. He is "five or six weeks away".