York City are taking a softly, softly approach to aid the recovery of midfielder Martin Garratt from undisclosed health problems, writes Dave Stanford.

A statement issued by the club said: "Martin Garratt, on the advice of the club's medical officer, has been referred to a hospital consultant and we hope that he will soon make a speedy recovery to full health.

"In the interim, Martin is entitled to privacy and confidentiality and we believe that this should be fully respected."

It was reported at the end of last year that the teenage midfielder had been given leave by the club suffering from 'personal problems'.

After not featuring in the first team squad since November, he returned to training shortly before Christmas and seemed to be on the verge of staking a claim for a senior start again.

But he came off after just ten minutes of a City reserve match at Notts County on January 11 suffering from a back injury and has not played a competitive match since.

Manager Neil Thompson refused to speculate on the 19-year-old's current condition stating he was abiding by Garratt's wishes.

But he stressed the club were standing by the Middlesbrough-born youngster and were giving him their full support

"People can surmise if they want but it is not for me or the club to say. Martin has got problems and he is dealing with them and he is certainly a lot better than he was a few weeks ago." said Thompson.

"He has been in this week and has looked a lot more positive about everything. It looks like he is responding well to what they are doing."

Thompson added while the club were keen for Garratt to make a full recovery there was no time scale on his recuperation.

"You cannot turn away from young people who have problems and I think he is certainly seeing the benefits of that.

"We want him back when the time is right for him and it will take as long as it takes," said the City chief.

"We want Martin Garratt back fit and healthy and playing like he was last year but we will just have to wait and see how he progresses.

"Martin has got a responsibility to give us something back now because the club has helped him a lot and Martin will be the first to admit that I am sure."

Garratt burst into the first team ranks at the beginning of the last campaign and became one of the Minstermen's few rays of optimism during a relegation-hit season.

Garratt, who made 37 starts and featured in seven other games as substitute last season, attracted the interest of a string of top clubs and was invited to train with Leeds United.

In June last year, Thompson was forced to squash rumours the club had received a £1million offer from premiership Sheffield Wednesday for the midfield tyro.

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