YORK City manager Martin Foyle is looking for a loan move for left-back Andy McWilliams.

The Leeds-born defender has not started a senior game for the Minstermen this season and the last of his three substitute appearances came at home to Cambridge on September 22.

With James Meredith and Chris Carruthers currently ahead of McWilliams in the pecking order for full-back places, Foyle feels now would be the right time for the 20-year-old youth-team graduate to step up his match fitness levels.

The City boss said: “I think Andy would benefit from going out on loan especially with Chris Carruthers having agreed new terms now until the end of the season. If I can get Andy a month’s football I will do because he could come back and find James Meredith on ten bookings.”

Craig Nelthorpe, meanwhile, has returned from his loan spell at Barrow while fellow winger Simon Russell is expected to complete a permanent move to Tamworth as soon as Nick Wright leaves the Lambs for Stevenage as expected.

Foyle is also hoping to conclude a deal with Mansfield over centre-back Luke Graham this week and a decision on short-term signing Kevin Gall will be made at the end of the month.

Ahead of Saturday’s FA Trophy trip to Newport County, Foyle has fielded the same starting line up in six of the last eight matches, only making changes when Richard Brodie was suspended and when he decided to rest players for the first round clash at Hinckley.

With that in mind, the City chief has asked anybody in the squad dispirited with their limited chances to raise it with him.

Foyle said: “Craig Nelthorpe’s back in the fold. He won’t be going back to Barrow but he’s got to fight for his place.

“We’ve had a chat and told the players we can’t keep everybody happy but I don’t want anybody disheartened. So, if anybody is unhappy, they can come and see me and we will talk about it because we need to be ready for the 21-game run-in.”

Foyle also added that Djoumin Sangare’s inclusion on the bench at Stoke on Saturday after a three-month absence due to injury will not signal a swift return to first-team duty.

City were able to name seven substitutes for the FA Cup clash and Foyle said: “Jimmy is still a long way off. His fitness levels are very low. He is training but you’ve got to be careful coming back from a groin injury.

“He’s also missed 13 games and could only manage about 20 minutes at the moment but getting him right for the run-in is important for us.”

* City’s postponed trips to Histon and Grays Athletic have been rearranged for Tuesday, February 2, and Tuesday, March 2, respectively. Both kick off at 7.45pm.