KEY York City midfielder Scott Kerr could return to action next month following initial assessments of his knee injury.

Swelling around the problem area means it is too early to provide a definitive diagnosis on Kerr’s knee, which caused him to limp off during the first half of City’s triumphant FA Trophy semi-final second leg tie at Luton Town on Saturday.

But club physiotherapist Jeff Miller’s first prognosis is that the Minstermen’s vice-captain will be back for the crucial end-of-season run-in.

James Meredith is the only outfield player to have started more City games than the 41 Kerr has managed this season and manager Gary Mills is hoping to have him back in harness for April.

Mills said: “Looking at it, as we stand, Jeff feels he could be out for a couple of weeks.

“We are waiting for the swelling to go down to know completely but that’s the early diagnosis with Jeff’s knowledge of these things.”

Fellow crocked trio Lanre Oyebanjo, David McGurk and Ben Gibson, meanwhile, are ruled out of tonight’s North Riding Senior Cup final against Middlesbrough.

It is hoped, though, that Oyebanjo (ankle) and McGurk (throat) will return to training by the end of the week.

City will still field a strong side for the 7.30pm Bootham Crescent clash with nine players boasting first-team experience included in the squad.

The senior professionals on show will be Matthew Blinkhorn, Moses Ashikodi, Adriano Moké, Danny Pilkington, Michael Potts, Scott Brown, Chris Doig, Erik Tonne and Ben Swallow.

Admission is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions with Mills adding: “We won’t kid ourselves by saying this competition was high on our radar at the start of the season but you hope the final will end up being York v Middlesbrough and it is.

“It’s a chance for the squad players to get some match fitness in a good test against a Championship club but what inspires me most is that we can win a trophy as well.”

Mills added that, having enjoyed the thrill of reaching Wembley for three days, the Minstermen will now put the Trophy final firmly on the back burner as attentions are switched to securing a Blue Square Bet Premier play-off place.

The City boss said: “It goes without saying that all thoughts of the Trophy have to be put to bed now. We enjoyed our weekend and had Monday off as well but, from now on, everybody is preparing for a big league game at home to Southport on Saturday.”