CENTRAL defender Gary Hobson has joined York City's growing band of walking wounded and looks certain to miss out on tomorrow's Worthington Cup clash at Stoke City.

The former Chester and Brighton defender has suffered a recurrence of the knee injury picked up in the pre-season game against Manchester United.

City's near impossible task of clawing back a 5-1 deficit from the first-leg has been made worse by the news top scorer Peter Duffield is also doubtful.

The striker is struggling to recover from a bruised hip suffered in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Darlington and is doubtful while midfielder Christian Fox is definitely out.

Fox missed Saturday's trip to Feethams with a hamstring injury and while he was expected to return to training today the teenager will not be risked against the Potters.

Minstermen coach Adie Shaw revealed the 19-year-old could play for City's reserves in their re-arranged match at Sheffield United on Thursday (7pm).

The game against the Blades had been originally pencilled in for tomorrow night, but was moved due to the first team being in action in the Potteries.

"With the match being on Wednesday it gives us another 24 hours to assess things," said Shaw.

"But Christian won't be ready for tomorrow and Peter Duffield is still a bit tender on the hip.

"Gary Hobson has a sore knee which is a combination of a couple of things; the hard ground and not being given a chance to let it settle down.

"A few days rest and he might be okay for Saturday but it is more a case of being cautious than it being a major problem."

In brighter news for City, club captain and defensive colossus Peter Swan has returned to light training after key-hole surgery to repair torn cartilage in his knee.

The veteran defender's recovery is bang on course but it is expected to be another four weeks before he will be available for selection.

Harrogate Railway Athletic were brought back to earth with a bump after their FA Cup success, losing 1-0 at home to Eccleshill United in the Northern Counties East League premier division.

Railway were unable to repeat their heroics of the weekend, when they fought-back from a 2-0 deficit to win 3-2 against Castleton Gabriels in the preliminary round of the FA Cup.