YORK City are keeping a watching brief on first-choice goalkeeper Michael Ingham.

Manager Colin Walker ruled the Northern Ireland international stopper out of City’s friendly with Hartlepool at KitKat Crescent tomorrow night following the thigh injury he picked up at Harrogate Railway.

The 28-year-old limped out of that friendly after only four minutes – seeming to pull up immediately after making his first clearing kick of the match.

After the game, Walker said it was not clear at that stage how bad the injury was. And while he will definitely not play against Danny Wilson’s men, the Minstermen boss said there had been improvement in Ingham’s condition.

“He’s certainly not available for tomorrow,” Walker confirmed.

“It’s a day-by-day assessment and that’s how we will have to look at it. He’s certainly better than he was on Sunday. It’s coming along nicely.” Elsewhere, Walker said the rest of the squad was in training in anticipation of City’s sixth pre-season friendly with Danny Parslow likely to recover from the dead leg which also forced him off against Harrogate.

Walker added: “Danny Parslow will train today. His dead leg was a big sore, but everyone else will train as well.

“We had a good spell of 15 minutes against Harrogate, but elsewhere we looked very leggy and tired.

“We’ve prepared well yesterday and that work will continue today.”

Meanwhile, City’s youth team coach Neil Redfearn is to don his boots again – albeit in a limited capacity.

The 43-year-old midfielder has signed for Northern Counties East League division one outfit AFC Emley and aims to turn out at the Welfare Ground when his KitKat Crescent commitments allow.