YORK City forgotten man Simon Russell has turned down moves to two Blue Square North clubs.

Russell, 23, has yet to make the substitutes bench for City this term and has only started one of the club’s last 21 games – the meaningless end-of-season 1-1 draw at Lewes in April.

But the former Kidderminster winger, who is contracted at Bootham Crescent until next summer, does not want to drop a level to play regular football and intends to fight his way back into Minstermen chief Martin Foyle’s first-team plans.

Foyle, who decided against signing any new players ahead of yesterday’s transfer deadline, said: “There were one or two clubs interested in Simon, but he does not want to play in Blue Square North.

“He’s still trying to hang out for a chance here and his attitude has been fantastic. He gets on with things and has never been a problem. I’m not closing the door on him.

“At the moment, it looks hard for him with Adam Smith fit and playing well, but who knows? Football can change from week to week.”

Russell played for City in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Scunthorpe reserves yesterday along with fit-again midfielder Levi Mackin, who has recovered from an infected foot.

With Mackin back and David McGurk also on the mend and in contention for Saturday’s home match against Crawley, Foyle felt no need to strengthen his squad yesterday.

Blue Square Premier clubs will still be able to make emergency loan signings from Monday until the transfer window reopens in January.