YORK City boss Martin Foyle says the capture of goalkeeper David Knight has completed his squad for the upcoming Blue Square Bet Premier season.
The Minstermen chief has confirmed a deal has been agreed with the trialist, who has impressed in pre-season and particularly during the first half of York’s 1-0 win over Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night.
With Andy McWilliams looking to go out on loan and the prospect of Jamie Hopcutt going to North Ferriby for a spell, Foyle confirmed he has now finished putting together the squad that will look to challenge for promotion to the Football League.
“There will be no more signings,” Foyle said. “I have got a budget to work to and the squad is finished. I am more than happy with it. If, three months into the season, we need to wheel and deal like we did so successfully last year, then we have got to do that.”
On Knight, Foyle added he expected his new recruit, who has arrived on a season long loan from Histon, to put the pressure on Michael Ingham – the man who led City out at Wembley in the play-off final.
“I have agreed the deal, I have got in writing and he will be here for next season,” he said. “I think David is ahead of Josh (Mimms, former reserve ’keeper) and he will put pressure on Michael.”
Hartlepool will arrive at Bootham Crescent for their last pre-season friendly tomorrow having struggled, with only a 3-0 win over South Shields providing any relief following a thumping 5-0 loss against Leeds and a humiliating 2-1 defeat at Garforth Town.
Pools were held at non-league Whitley Bay in midweek and, with their opening League fixture at Spotlands against Rochdale in just a week’s time, boss Chris Turner will be looking for a much-improved performance.
He has complained in the past week about the need to bring in new blood, and fears Pools could be sucked into a relegation scrap this season without it.
Foyle reckons the Minstermen will be without six or seven players against Hartlepool, because of a variety of knocks and niggles, but declined to identify them.
With the countdown to the start of the season getting ever closer, it means the City chief will now look to arrange a couple of behind closed doors matches to ensure his squad are fully match fit for the visit of Kidderminster on August 14.
He said: “Hartlepool are a League One side and it is a benchmark. We will go out there and work hard again. We have got six or seven out and that is a bit annoying at this stage of pre-season.
“It is nothing major but they are not getting enough game time and I am thinking two weeks ahead now. They have to be 100 per cent. They are doing a little bit of work but if you are not on the pitch then you are chasing (fitness).
“I am going to arrange one or two games, either behind closed doors or we will get on our travels.”
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