"IT is rare you can pick the same team twice," noted John Askey as Covid hit York City ahead of their FA Trophy fourth round home tie (3pm) with Slough Town.

There are an unnamed "couple" of players who will be absent on Saturday due to coronavirus as the Minstermen's squad continues in its state of flux.

Of greatest frustration to Askey is that ahead of the postponed AFC Fylde game last weekend, he had nearly a full squad available to him.

Jack McKay and Matty Brown will also miss out as the former is cup-tied while the latter is serving the final game of his three-match ban after picking up a straight red card against Chorley a month ago.

The interim manager could be able to welcome back Olly Dyson, though, with the attacking midfielder available for the first time in more than two months.

He is back in training and played around 25 minutes last Friday when a York side contested a behind-closed-doors friendly with Stockport County after having picked up a leg injury in early November.

"At the moment, there are one or two who are not (available)," Askey said.

"We have got a couple who have got Covid, which I don't want to divulge yet.

"We're not 100 per cent but the ones who are out there will be fully fit.

"It's a shame because over Christmas we had virtually a full squad apart from (Michael) Woods.

"It is a bit frustrating from that point of view but that's how it is now.

"It's very rare that you can pick the same team twice."

McKay made a very positive impression on his City debut against Alfreton Town at the end of December, and Askey has been enthusiastic of having out-and-out wingers in his side.

He will have to wait a while longer yet to get his second game in York colours, but Askey has contingency plans in place.

"We've got a few options," Askey explained.

"Kurt (Willoughby) has played there, Clayton (Donaldson) has played there, Mitch (Hancox) has, and Mackenzie Heaney."

City fans may get a first sighting of new centre-back Maxim Kouogun on Saturday. The 6ft 3ins 24-year-old signed for the Minstermen on a free transfer on Wednesday and Askey is looking for him to push regular starters Matty Brown and Sean Newton for a spot in the team.

With Brown suspended and fellow centre-back Josh King out with a broken leg, Askey has turned to central midfielder Akil Wright for cover.

Wright has been an able deputy in defence but the acquisition of Kouogun should free him up to return to his natural berth, which will be particularly useful given that midfielder Kieran Wallace's loan with the Minstermen ended earlier this month.

"He's a big, strong lad,"Askey said of Kouogun. "We played him in the Stockport game and he did well.

"Hopefully he isn't just cover and he's going to push Browny and Sean Newton.

"It's one area of the squad where we haven't had cover, whether it's right-back or centre-back.

"In most positions now, we're pretty well covered with Maxim coming in.

"The main thing is that he comes in and he's better than what we've had previously. Hopefully that's the case. Time will tell.

"He went to Harrogate and did well. Due to Covid, they didn't take him and he's ended up back at Shelbourne.

"He's looking to make a breakthrough in English football, whether that's with us or in a higher league.

"He comes hungry and that's what we want."