IN-FORM striker Lenell John-Lewis is set to miss York City's play-off final on Saturday (3pm) through a thigh injury.

John-Lewis scored York's winner in Saturday's 1-0 semi-final victory at Brackley Town, securing City's place in the Vanarama National League North play-off final at home Boston United.

The Grimsby Town loanee suffered an injury in the act of stretching to score late in the first half and appears likely to miss York's most vital match in years.

“He’s really struggling," reported manager John Askey. "I’d be surprised if he’s available."

Asked whether John-Lewis was worth risking given the magnitude of the season's final match, the boss replied: “If somebody’s not fit, they’re not fit.

"Going as high up as England in the past, they’ve tried to play players like (David) Beckham and (Wayne) Rooney when they’re not fit.

“You’re better with a fit player than you are with an unfit player.”

The news over John-Lewis comes as a huge blow to York on the eve of the play-off final, particularly given the 33-year-old's recent form, having scored five times in his last six appearances.

Askey hinted that he may change his preferred 4-3-3 formation as a result of losing the target man.

He said: "We’ve got to have a look at who plays and whether we have to change the way we play, we probably will.

“We’ve done well up until this point to have as many fit (players) as we have.

“There’s Remy (Longdon) and Kingy (Josh King) and they’ve done more training than the others with not featuring. If we need them, they’re available.”