JOHN ASKEY admitted that players may have to leave York City before any more recruits can be brought into the club.

York fell to a crushing 2-1 home defeat to bottom-half side Kettering Town in Askey’s first match in charge at the weekend.

Speaking afterwards, the interim manager criticised the work-rate of his side and warned that some players will be “through the door” if their effort did not improve.

Askey also stated his desire to bring more signings in, following the loan addition of Burton Albion’s Kieran Wallace, but conceded that moving on existing players would first have to take place.

When asked about his scope to recruit players, Askey replied: “When I asked to bring Kieran in, there was no objection (from the board).

“It might be a case that we’ve got to get two or three out before we can bring two or three in.

“We’ll just have to see. All I can do is say what I feel and if people become available, then I’ll ask the question.”

Blyth Spartans are the Minstermen’s next opponents, in the FA Trophy, on Saturday.

Askey said that he would look to bring in players beforehand “if possible” but insisted: “It’s no use bringing players in just for the sake of it - we need the right type.

“Going forward, we’ve got to be more of a threat than what we are. We need to get more pace in the team.”

The Blyth home cup tie may see the debut of central midfielder Wallace, who did not come off the bench against Kettering.

“Kieran was available and I just thought with how he’s done in League One and the age he is (26), we need more strength and he’ll give us that,” Askey explained.

“Kieran is another one that’s a lot stronger than what we’ve got in there at the moment. He’ll keep the ball for us, he’s competitive and he’s played three leagues higher than this.”