YORK City joint-top scorer Craig Farrell will not make today's FA Trophy trip to Grays Athletic because of a groin injury.

Farrell moved level with Onome Sodje at the top of the Minstermen's goal charts after his 75th-minute penalty forced a replay in Saturday's second round tie at KitKat Crescent.

But the 25-year-old striker has been withdrawn from the City squad and Martyn Woolford, despite travelling with the team, might only make the bench as he looks to recover from a sickness bug.

Farrell's absence will hand a starting opportunity to either Paul Brayson or Richard Brodie, who has recovered from an ankle problem, to come back into contention.

About his attacking options, City boss Colin Walker said: "Craig Farrell won't be available because he's got a groin problem and, although he's really keen to play, we don't want to aggravate it and lose him for six or seven weeks.

"Paul Brayson and Richard Brodie both have claims to the place and they both trained well yesterday hoping to look the part and catch the eye, which is good."

Former Newcastle United striker Brayson has not started a game since Walker's second game in charge - the 1-1 home draw with Crawley Town.

He lost his place to Sodje after that game and was then unavailable because of flu for a fortnight, but could receive the nod after playing for more than an hour as a substitute on Saturday.

Walker added: "I thought it took Paul a while to get into the game but, in the second half, he caused one or two problems.

"With the way he plays, defenders don't always want to follow him when he drops off them, and he looks the favourite to start, but I've not decided yet."

Brayson's former Northwich team-mate, Stuart Elliott, also looks likely to return after serving a one-match suspension.

Walker felt his midfield misfired on Saturday and said: "I think Stuart Elliott will start because his anchoring allows Manny Panther and Nicky Wroe to kick on."

Should City defeat Grays they will travel to the winners of the Alfreton Town v Farsley Celtic tie in the next round.

That match is also being replayed tonight and, while refusing to look beyond both ties, Walker is contemplating the possibility of an old friends' reunion.

The City boss said: "I played with Alfreton's manager Nicky Law at Barnsley in the 1980s and haven't seen him for a long time. He's also one of the few from that era at Oakwell who has got less hair than me.

"We also did a good job at Farsley earlier in the season and they've got a nice pitch, but we've got to get tonight out of the way before we think of anything else."

Should City win at Grays, their third round tie at Blue Square North outfit Alfreton or Farsley will be played on Saturday, February 2. Defeat tonight will result in a Blue Square Premier trip to Stevenage on that date instead.