YORK City boss Nigel Worthington has told his inherited squad that they are fighting for their own futures, as well as that of the club.

It is believed that only Michael Ingham, Michael Coulson, David McDaid, John McReady and Tom Allan are contracted at Bootham Crescent beyond this summer while left-back Jamal Fyfield could be entitled to an extension due to an appearance clause in his current deal.

As a consequence, Worthington has warned his out-of-contract players that the number of professionals seeking new employers this summer is likely to be higher than ever.

“I think we’ve got 16 players out of contract in the summer,” the City chief said.

“If I was one of those players, I would be busting a gut to help the club stay in the League and also to try to earn a contract, so there’s plenty to play for in both respects.

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“A lot of clubs are reducing their squad size and the PFA’s list of out-of-contract players is getting huge now every summer.

“No professional should want to be on that list.”

First-year professional Tom Platt, yet to make his senior debut for City, is one of those among the current ranks whose present terms end in the summer.

Worthington has confirmed he wants to recall 19-year-old midfielder Platt from his loan spell at Blue Square Bet North part-timers Harrogate Town, where he has netted 11 times in 15 appearances.

But the York-born teenager will be unable to return before Thursday, March 21 when his 28-day loan at Wetherby Road expires, meaning the away match with Torquay two days later will represent the first time he could be involved under the new manager.

Worthington added: “He can only be recalled after 28 days has elapsed, but one of my thoughts in bringing him back is the goals he’s scored for Harrogate.

“Yes, it’s two leagues below the level we are playing but he can score goals.

“I will learn more when we get him back here and have a good close look, but he’s contracted to York and it’s only right he should be involved, along with all the other contracted York City players.”

Match facts

YORK City made two Blue Square Bet Premier visits to Kingsmeadow to meet AFC Wimbledon.

In 2009/10, Michael Rankine was the marksman in a 1-0 victory and the following campaign City went down 1-0.

The latter game was played on February 12, 2011, and the line-up was: Ingham, Parslow, McGurk, C Smith, Meredith, J Smith (Boucaud), Kerr, Barrett (Reed), Chambers, Rankine (Constantine), Till.

City met the old Wimbledon club in the late 1970s and early 1980s, losing all four of their Fourth Division trips to Plough Lane.

It happened on March 9

1938: In front of a 58,066 crowd at Leeds Road, City lost their sixth round FA Cup replay 2-1 at Huddersfield Town. Reg Baines was the scorer and the side was: Wharton, Pinder, Barrett, Duckworth, Wass, Hathway, Earl, Hughes, Baines, Comrie, Spooner.

1962: A 2-2 draw at Tranmere Rovers in Division Four with Jimmy Weir and John Stainsby on target.

1968: Tommy Ross was the marksman in a 1-0 win over Lincoln City at Bootham Crescent in the Fourth Division. The attendance was 4,716.

1991: City lost 4-0 at home to Peterborough United watched by 2,511 and were in the lower reaches of the Fourth Division.

1993: Paul Barnes netted in a 1-1 home draw against Gillingham in front of 3,327. City were fourth in Division Three (League Two) and it was the last match for John Ward as City manager.

2004: A 3-1 home defeat at the hands of Scunthorpe United extended the winless run to ten games and City were 17th in the Third Division (League Two). Andy Bell was the scorer and the crowd was 2,676.

Compiled by David Batters