LUKE JAMES and Michael Duckworth are out to prove their fitness levels ahead of York City’s trip to Maidstone United on Saturday (3pm).

York's first away match of the season sees City travel to Kent to face last term's Vanarama National League South champions Maidstone.

City will be looking to build on their comfortable 2-0 opening-day victory over Woking last time out.

Winger James and right-back Duckworth both started against Woking but picked up knocks at the LNER Community Stadium, putting their availability for this weekend into doubt.

Duckworth was the recipient of a hard tackle from Woking midfielder James Kellerman.

Central midfielders Gus Mafuta and Paddy McLaughlin look set to remain sidelined with thigh and hip injuries respectively.

“We’re waiting on Michael Duckworth and Luke James to see whether they’ll be fit," reported manager John Askey.

“Gus is starting to run now, he’s not joined in but should be available next week.

“It’s a funny one with Paddy, he’s got to let it settle down, the problem he’s got with his hip. It’s more waiting and seeing.

“It might be the case that he has to have an injection, but we’re hoping he doesn’t have to do that.”

Should James and Duckworth be ruled fit to play, then York will likely remain unchanged from the Woking win, having easily seen off their Surrey opposition in emphatic fashion.

"That's want you that," said Askey, "you want to try and create competition, especially so early on.

“If we can get that going, lads that come in know they’ve got to do well to stay in the team.

“Hopefully that’ll be the case this season, but it’s all about winning. If you’re winning, it’s a lot easier.”

The Minstermen drew a crowd of almost 4,000 against Woking, the division's fourth-highest attendance of the opening round and a bigger number of supporters than seen in eight Sky Bet League Two matches during the same weekend.

Although there is a train strike tomorrow, Askey still hopes to hear York supporters in the stands.

“The support last year, away from home, was fantastic", he enthused. "There’s a lot of long journeys this season as there probably has been in the past for supporters.

“They’ve always done it, I don’t know how they do it at times, but it’s always fantastic to see them and they always make themselves heard, which is great for the players and gives us a real lift.

“We’ll be trying our best to give them something to shout about.”

Askey was speaking three days on from the club's fans forum on Monday evening, the first he has taken part in since arriving at the club in November..

“It’s probably been long overdue," he reflected.

“While I’ve been there, we’ve not had one and for myself it was perfect timing with winning on the Saturday.

“It was a good atmosphere and it’s always good to meet people who support the club and I think it’s good for them to meet me, get an idea of what I’m like.

“I think it’s also good if they do them in the future to meet the players as well.”