YORK City goalkeeper David Stockdale is expected to be out injured for up to two months, after sustaining a knock in the 1-1 draw against Aldershot Town on Saturday.

Manager Michael Morton has confirmed that Stockdale’s injury is worse than originally thought, forcing York to recall Ryan Whitley from his loan spell with Scarborough Athletic.

Morton also confirmed that Adam Crookes and Alex Hurst are pushing to be involved for City’s trip to Dorking Wanderers on Saturday, August 26 (3pm) after the pair were both back involved in training on Thursday.

“He had his scan yesterday and we’re a bit disappointed, it’s worse than we thought.” Morton confirmed on Stockdale’s injury.

“That could be a couple of months minimum for him to come back from that.

“He’s done damage because he felt it pop and tried to recover to make sure the ball doesn’t go into the goal, so he’s damaged it more by sprinting back.

“We all know Ryan Whitley well, he had a really good pre-season, he had a really good spell at the back end of last season and he’s our number one in terms of coming back in and playing when Stocky isn’t fit.

“We all trust Ryan, we know what he’s about, he’s looked really sharp in training and his attitude has been top drawer.

“Alongside that he’s been playing, he’s played a handful of games for Scarborough and has got two clean sheets, that puts him in a really good place.

“They love him, everyone knows he’s still a young man and has got so much in front of him.

“He’s lost a little bit of weight and looks a lot sharper, he did really well in pre-season and it was a close call between them.

“We always said that Stocky was number one but we want Ryan and Mais (Maison Campbell) to compete and really push Stocky, when your chance comes go and take it.

“That gives him the opportunity to take it, the plus side is that we could have been selfish and had him on the bench for the last four or five weeks and he wouldn’t have played a minute, but he’s gone to Scarborough, done well there and picked up two clean sheets as well.

“He’s done well, it’s disappointing for Scarborough because it messes up their plans and we didn’t expect it to happen like this, but he’s our player, we know what he’s about and we’re sure he’ll come in and do really well.”

Morton also provided updates on Hurst and Crookes, as well as confirming that Michael Duckworth and Alex Woodyard are continuing their recoveries from injuries.

“(Hurst) has been training, we’ll make a decision on whether he’s in the squad, but we haven’t decided yet.

“But he’s been in training, looked fine this week and we’ll re-assess that after he’s been in the gym and see who’s been the best performers ready for Saturday.

“Crookes took a dead leg a couple of weeks ago, he’s been struggling with that but he’s back in light training.

“He had his first full contact training session today, so he should be available which is a good sign. It’s always important having Crookesy because he offers you so many different options, he can fill in at left-back, he can fill in at left centre-back, can play in a back three or back four and is a lefty as well, so that helps us.

“Hopefully if he feels well after the gym session then he’ll be ready to go as well.

“Apart from the ones who have been out for a little bit now, we’ve got Stocky out, Woodyard and Duckworth are still returning.

“There’s a few we need to assess, there’s a few players that we didn’t expect to play this many minutes that have got a few little niggles. We had 21 in training today, and everybody looked okay.

“We’ll re-assess that, see how everyone recovers after the gym session.”