TRIALISTS Luke Waterfall and Andy Taylor have been jettisoned by York City manager Martin Foyle.

After watching the pair in pre-season action, Foyle has decided not to pursue his interest in either former Tranmere Rovers defender Waterfall or Grimsby striker Taylor.

Both turned out in the second half of City’s 2-0 loss to Bradford last Saturday and also featured in a training ground match with Billingham on Tuesday night.

But trialist Jimmy Jackson will be remaining with the Minstermen for the time being.

Foyle said: “We’ve let Andy Taylor and Luke Waterfall go. They won’t be included. Jackson will stay with us for a little bit. We are trying to find the right scenario for him and he needs to play games.

“Two years ago, he had massive potential at Chesterfield.”

The City boss said he was also edging towards an agreement with Djoumin Sangare, who was offered a contract earlier this week. “It’s very close,” Foyle declared.

York entertain Hartlepool tonight (kick off 7.30pm) at Bootham Crescent in their fourth pre-season friendly with Foyle yet to decide who will take part.

Two who definitely won’t play are Michael Emmerson and winger Craig Nelthorpe, who is ill.

As well as providing a chance to test themselves against League One opposition, Foyle says his players should be itching to display their skills at a higher level.

“It’s a game we want to go and enjoy,” he added.

“The fitness levels are going up notch by notch at the moment and the attitudes are very good.

“If I was one of the players, I would be trying and working my backside off to try and get into the Football League.

“If you play well during pre-season then anything can happen.

“There’s a shortage of players about.”

Meanwhile, former City winger Liam Shepherd has been struck down by swine flu.

Shepherd joined Farsley Celtic after being released by the Minstermen, but manager Neil Parsley confirmed he had been diagnosed with the virus.

Parsley said: “We signed him from York City during the close season, but he has been diagnosed with swine flu.

“He has been in the dressing room with the rest of the lads throughout the pre-season, so potentially all our players have been exposed to the virus.”

Harrogate Minstermen are staging their first meeting of the season at The Union pub in Calcutt, Knaresborough, on Monday, starting at 7.30pm.

The event will be attended by summer signings Alex Lawless and Neil Barrett, plus some surprise guests.

The meeting is open to new and existing members.

Membership for the forthcoming season is £10 for adults and free for under-16s.

Minibus travel is available to City home and away games at affordable prices with pick up points at Harrogate, Knaresborough and Wetherby.


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