WOBBLING York City will resist any big-cash bid for Richard Cresswell as they face 'losing' almost an entire team.

Injury-hit City have issued as 'hands off' warning to clubs prior to Saturday's FA Cup second round tie at Wrexham

Signs are growing that First Division Barnsley are preparing a £1million-plus move for 13-goal Cresswell to solve their striking crisis.

But City manager Alan Little said he would do all in his power to fend off such a take-over on the eve of FA Cup duty at Wrexham, where the Minstermen may be reduced to just 12 fit senior players.

"We have not had any bid from anyone for Richard Cresswell. But there's no way I could sell Richard now to help out any other club. We need all the players we can get."

City's injury list reached epidemic proportions when defender Andy McMillan - he and Cresswell are the only ever-presents this term - hobbled away from training with a groin strain.

McMillan, who has made the second highest number of appearances in club history, is now deemed doubtful for Saturday's second round trip to Wrexham.

If he fails to recover from slipping on wet grass as he crossed the ball he will join seven other seniors out of contention for the tie in north Wales.

To compound the selection headache midfield duo Scott Jordan and Steve Agnew are both nursing niggling injuries, while striker Neil Woods has been floored the past two days with sickness.

In a wretched worst-case scenario City could be without almost a full team comprising Warrington, McMillan, Barras, Thompson, Hall, Himsworth, Jordan, Agnew, Pouton, and Woods for the trip to Wrexham.

With clubs able to field five substitutes City - already committed to fielding Intermediate goalkeeper John Mohan as cover for Bobby Mimms - have put two other teenagers, midfielder Lee Bullock and defender Christian Fox, on stand-by.

"The injury situation is now critical," sighed the City manager. "We cannot get anyone because of the FA Cup signing deadline, so it might well be that we'll have to have at least three youth trainees on the bench.

"McMillan stretched his groin and withdrew from any further training. It doesn't look good."

Barnsley meanwhile are reportedly turning their gaze to Cresswell, whom they have observed along with a posse of other clubs, during his scoring burst.

Both their regular front-men of Bruce Dyer and £4million-rated Ashley Ward are suspended for Saturday's Division One trip to Watford, while player-manager John Hendrie is injured.

Having sold Norwegian international Jan-Aage Fjortoft to Eintracht Frankfurt last week the Tykes have no recognised strikers, hence the possible muscling in on City's leading marksman.

But City boss Little said he could not countenance the sale of his chief striking asset on the eve of FA Cup action with nearly half his squad decimated by injury and illness.

"If Barnsley were to offer £1million today I could not sell him. That's a fact," declared Little.

"I have to look after my own club. No way would we let him go. That would have to be my reaction."

City fans are reminded there are still places left on the Travel Club coach to Wrexham leaving Bootham Crescent on Saturday at 11.30am at £9 for TC members, £11 non-members.

There will be a Junior Reds' club night in the Family Room at Bootham Crescent tonight from 6pm-8pm. Admission is free.

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