YORK City hat-trick hero Richard Brodie is likely to be left out for tomorrow’s Blue Square Premier clash at relegation-threatened Eastbourne.

Brodie picked up a slight hamstring strain as he claimed the match ball during City’s 5-0 thumping of AFC Wimbledon and is unlikely to be risked now Martin Foyle’s men have secured a play-off place, barring a mathematical miracle.

The 22-year-old striker also remains three bookings away from a three-match suspension, having been shown 12 yellow cards this season.

Contrary to The Press’ original understanding, there is no cut-off point for bans incurred after reaching 15 cautions this season, although those sweating on a tenth booking will be safe after this weekend’s games.

That means Brodie must avoid having his name taken three times in the six matches City will face before a possible play-off final clash at Wembley on Sunday, May 16.

Ahead of tomorrow’s game, Foyle said: “Brodes came off with a tight hamstring on Wednesday night. He’s got a bit of a strain so we have to be careful with him.

“His booking situation has also been in my mind ever since his tenth caution so his sore hamstring might just be a blessing.”

Midfielder Levi Mackin is the only other City player in slight danger of suspension due to an accumulation of bookings but he would need to see yellow five times to reach 15 cautions for the campaign.

Foyle also added that Mackin had not been left out for the seven matches prior to his recall against Wimbledon due to disciplinary reasons, saying: “It was just a matter of the other players who came in doing well.”

The City chief has admitted, though, that he will be resting players during the four remaining league games prior to the play-off semi-finals, with the respective legs now confirmed for Thursday, April 29 and Monday, May 3.

He said: “I will be chopping and changing because it’s been a long season.

“The last seven or eight weeks have been very hard. We’ve been doing a lot of travelling and playing midweek non-stop so you need to give people breathers.”

The City chief still expects his side to target maximum points in Sussex tomorrow, though, reiterating his desire not to slip back into fifth place and the final play-off spot.

Eastbourne will be bidding to become only the second side after Salisbury to complete a double over the Minstermen, having won 1-0 at Bootham Crescent in February.

The Sports also desperately need a victory to fend off the threat of relegation but Foyle is in no mood for dishing out favours.

Rushden, in fifth, play Ebbsfleet at home tomorrow before travelling to Mansfield and Wrexham and then ending the season at Nene Park against Luton.

The City boss said: “I don’t want us to slip up because Rushden have the fixtures to chase us although the last day of the season will be interesting when they are at home to Luton and we play at Stevenage. “I want three points tomorrow and I’m not worried about them because nobody would be worried about us in their position.

“Because of their position, they will have to come at us, which was the last thing on their mind when they came to our place.

“That will open the game up and we will have chances, as we did on Wednesday night.”