CENTRE-BACKS David McGurk and Greg Young could both make an appearance in York City’s pre-season friendly against Morecambe at Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

McGurk has recovered from a calf strain while summer signing Young has shaken off deep bruising, and Minstermen assistant boss Andy Porter is hoping both might play 45 minutes against the League Two visitors.

Winger Peter Till has got over a sickness bug but Porter said defender Duane Courtney was still “a bit sore” with a knee problem.

“Greg Young is a bit of a battler and he can’t wait to play,” said Porter. “With TY (McGurk) we will have to see how he reacts from training. Fingers crossed, he might make 45 minutes and Greg could also possibly play 45 after seeing how he reacts.

“We are not going to risk them (if they aren’t fit). We have got enough games and, if we need another, we will fit it in.”

Porter added that Chris Carruthers, who limped off during York’s 2-0 defeat to Barnsley on Tuesday night after feeling a twinge in his groin, is significantly better but is unlikely to be risked.

The Morecambe match will be the first meeting between the sides since City lost 2-1 at Christie Park in the Blue Square Premier play-off semi-final second leg in 2007.

And Porter, who thinks the Lancashire side will be fired up after suffering a 5-0 humiliation by Barrow in midweek, is hoping City can get on the scoresheet in a confidence boost for their attack.

“The forwards have all played with each other and we have swapped them around,” he said. “They are trying to get a feel for each other and build partnerships.

“A goal would be great as it starts them off and running. We have started a bit of shooting in training and we are gradually building that up. That will come.”

Porter continued: “He (Sammy McIlroy, Morecambe manager), won’t be happy with them and he will be after a better performance than the other night. We have to be ready and raring to go and we have to be up for it.

“It’s pre-season and it is about getting everyone through it but I hate losing and we have to make sure we conduct ourselves well. Morecambe are more on the same level as ourselves.

“They are one league up and it will be a good test for us. I think Barnsley were a week or two ahead of us.

“Against the two Championship sides we were looking for fitness and getting them through 45 minutes. We just couldn’t get a goal.”

The City assistant boss said that while the club was still trying to sort something out with trialist David McDermott, goalkeeper Steve Drench had not been offered a deal.

Goalkeeping coach Andy Leaning is continuing to run the rule over David Knight.