YORK City defender David McGurk is out of tomorrow’s FA Trophy third round clash at Kidderminster.

McGurk had hoped to be fit for the last 16 meeting, but City manager Martin Foyle will not risk further injury to The Press Player of the Year leader by rushing him back from his calf problem.

With McGurk still sidelined, Kyle Critchell is expected to continue alongside Danny Parslow in the centre of City’s defence at Aggborough.

About his vice-captain’s absence, Foyle said: “We need to be cautious with him.

“He’s doing all his strengthening work and he’s feeling no pain when he runs, but there’s no point in risking him.

“We’ve got a behind-closed-doors practice match pencilled in for next week and, while I know the Trophy is important, he’s not trained yet.

“I would rather leave him until Mansfield a week tomorrow when he will be 100 per cent without a question.”

The Minstermen will also be missing new boys Christian Smith, Simon Brown and Levi Mackin from the side that started Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at Altrincham.

All three are cup-tied, along with Adam Smith who came on as a substitute at Moss Lane.

With those four ruled out, there will be possible recalls to the squad for former Harrier Simon Russell, Liam Shepherd, Craig Farrell, Ben Wilkinson and Darren Kelly.

And Foyle hopes any fringe player handed an opportunity in the third round clash can stake a bigger claim for regular selection than in recent times.

He said: “It’s a blow that the four new lads can’t play, but we have to get on with it. The other players had a chance at Barrow in the Setanta Shield and their response was disappointing. I’ve spoken to two or three though. They are paid to play football and maybe the 4-3-3 formation we played at Altrincham could suit them because we are a bit light in the midfield area.”

Kidderminster have won nine of their last 11 home matches and already beaten the Minstermen 2-0 at Aggborough this season, leaving Foyle to reason there will be no pressure on the visitors tomorrow.

He said: “I think we have the hardest tie of the day again, having played away at Oxford in the last round. We’ve not got anything to lose though and, as long as they are determined, players will know their jobs and the shape we want them to play.”

Meanwhile, striker Craig Farrell has turned down a move to in-form Blue Square North side Gateshead.

Said Foyle: “Ian Bogie, who I used to play with at Port Vale, has been in touch about Faz. The player didn’t want to drop down a level, so we’ve said ‘no thank you’.”

Kidderminster (probable): Bartlett, Lowe, Riley, Jones, Baker, McDermott, Bennett, Ferrell, Knights, Richards, Barnes-Homer.

Subs: Brittain, Smickle, Moore, Coleman, Bignot.

York City (probable): Ingham, Purkiss, Critchell, Parslow, Robinson, Russell, Rusk, McWilliams, Sodje, Boyes, Brodie.

Subs: Mimms, Kelly, Wilkinson, McBreen, Farrell.