STEVE WATSON has joined the voices of managers encouraging players to get vaccinated against Covid-19.

After a frustrating stop-start 2020/21 campaign - during which York had a number of games called off due to coronavirus - the lingering pandemic reared its head again last weekend when scheduled opponents Hereford called off their trip to City with Covid problems in their camp.

Pandemic problems remain close to home too. Unvaccinated striker Jason Gilchrist, returning from injury, is set to miss out on Saturday's FA Cup second round qualifying game against Hebburn Town.

“I don’t know where we stand as employers to force anybody into anything so it has to come down to choice,” Watson said.

“If players have very strong thoughts on why they’re not getting jabbed then unfortunately that’s going to happen.

“Jason Gilchrist is one of the lads who hasn’t been jabbed and now he’s got himself back fit and he’s probably missed out on a chance to play.

"But it's personal choices and we can't force them into having the jabs.

"I personally have no problem with (jabs) but some people have and we have to respect people's choices."

On top of last week's postponement, York were further rankled when the Hereford players who recorded positive lateral flow tests (LFTs) then returned negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests. PCR tests are considered more reliable than LFTs.

If no other players report symptoms or record positive LFTs, Hereford hope to be back in action at the weekend, though the final decision lies with the FA and the National League.

"We'd come into a bit of form, we were getting players back and you want to keep the momentum going," Watson commented.

"For the club as well, they've got programmes printed and hospitality paid for and things like that.

"It's a mess when things like that happen.

"I don't want to say too much and start accusing people of anything but I think the start of the season, with the form and the injuries we had, we tried to crack on and do everything right.

"It does have to be looked at by the National League but I'm not in their camp so I don't know what's really gone on.

"I've got to prepare the lads for this week. The frustration was last weekend and now we've been focusing on the FA Cup since Monday."

Saturday marks the first cup game to be played at the LNER Community Stadium. Kick off at Monks Cross against the Northern Premier League east division outfit is 3pm.

As well as Gilchrist, York will be without midfielder Paddy McLaughlin, who "felt something in his thigh" in the middle of the week. He is not the type to miss out for no reason, Watson added, so City are playing it safe. He is expected to return after the Hebburn game.

Stand-in left-back Jaden Charles, meanwhile, has returned to Mansfield Town upon the expiration of his month-long loan with City. Scott Barrow's most recent projected recovery date is next month.

Watson said that he is still looking at trying to get Josh King game time as he returns from injury while young attacking midfielder Harrison Hopper could come into his thinking.

Both need game time and, without the North Riding County Cup or a big enough squad for practice matches, there are fewer opportunities to get the younger plays on the pitch.