YORK City's interim boss John Askey is priming himself for a "massive help over Christmas" as players start to come back into contention.

Mackenzie Heaney, who missed Saturday's FA Trophy win over Blyth Spartans after failing a fitness test, will be back in the picture for Saturday's National League North trip to Guiseley (3pm).

Josh King is also available, having served his FA suspension for betting offences, while fellow defender Michael Duckworth is back in training and could return in a week's time.

As it stands, Olly Dyson's prognosis is hazy. Having come off during the FA Cup defeat to Buxton at the start of November, the midfielder is working to overcome compartment syndrome (increased pressure within a group of muscles, blood vessels and nerves, restricting blood flow to an area) which will require careful managing.

Still, the horizon is looking clearer for City, for whom injuries this season have appeared with almost mocking frequency.

Askey was also able to welcome back long-term injury concern Scott Barrow for Blyth, and he is in the frame to go again as York gear up for three games between this Saturday and next, a run which has the potential to reignite City's push at the right end of the table.

"We're starting to get one or two people back, which will be a massive help over Christmas," Askey said.

"All we can do now is concentrate on the Guiseley game and the rest will take care of itself.

"You put everything into each game as they come - it's no use getting too far ahead of yourself.

"That's what we do. We've had a good week of training for Guiseley and hopefully they'll be raring to go."

Askey also gave a glimpse at the attributes he values in his sides when asked if he will persist with a three-man front line, as City did against Blyth at the weekend.

“The way most of my teams have played before, that’s the way we’ve played,” he explained.

“And it’s adaptable. Sometimes the midfield players will push on, sometimes two will sit deep. It depends who we’re playing against.

“But I think it suits the players we’ve got at the moment.

“We haven’t really got any wing-backs or wingers so for me, the best option is to play how we play on Saturday.

“There will be times we have to change and sometimes that will be during the game, but whatever we do, we’ll have worked on it.

“I think Mackenzie’s best position is midfield in a three, he’s not an out-and-out winger,” Askey added.

“He’s back so that strengthens the squad a bit.

“Olly will be a few weeks. It’s a difficult one because it’s compartment syndrome so you have to be really careful with it.

“How long is a piece of string? You just don’t know with an injury like that.

“Ducky’s close to being back. He’s started training so he’ll probably be another week.

“Josh is available. He’s been training.

“But it’s hard with Newton and Brown as centre-halves - he’s got a tough job on his hands to stake a claim.”

Meanwhile, Bolton Wanderers loanee Adam Senior is available for selection this weekend after missing out on Saturday and could challenge for the right-back slot in Duckworth’s stead.

“He did well in the first game against Curzon,” Askey appraised. “He could have done better against Kettering.

“It’s a stronger squad this week coming. It’s between Senior and Fielding who gets the right-back spot.”