COLIN Walker says York City new boy Simon Rusk will come into the reckoning for the first time as the Minstermen look to extend their ten-match unbeaten run at Altrincham in the Blue Square Premier.

Injury to Craig Farrell and doubts over skipper Manny Panther and winger Martyn Woolford mean Rusk, who joined City from Northwich Victoria last week, is in the frame.

Walker said: "Faz is still on the treatment table and I've yet to speak to the physio.

"With Manny, it was more tightness than anything and a good training session will help him and Woolly was ill and he's another one I will have to talk to.

"Simon Rusk will come into the reckoning for the first time. There will be a selection headache but I don't mind them. Simon has fitted in well. The banter is good and he's a positive member of the dressing room.

"He's 26, he knows the ropes and we are looking forward to seeing him out on the pitch."

Walker also indicated that combative midfielder Stuart Elliott may also be part of his plans to conquer the Blue Square strugglers, who are just a point off the relegation places. But he believes his forays in the January transfer window, which has seen Rusk join along with former Scarborough centre-back Jimmy Beadle, could soon be at an end.

"There could well be one. We've had this lad from Ipswich, Michael Synnott. We are going to have another look at him, if the weather lets us. We want to get him up and have a game in the reserves," he added.

"Whether we will take him or not, we will have to decide after he plays, but I would think that would be enough now."

Walker said he expected Altrincham to be a very different team from the side City impressively dispatched 3-1 at Moss Lane in the FA Trophy last month, although he conceded the Minstermen would be considered favourites to pick up three points.

He said: "I think they have brought a couple of experienced defenders in. I have always been baffled by Altrincham because I've seen them three or four times and they always seem to play really well and still end up losing.

"It will be another tough game, but we will be looking forward to it. We want to try to win every game.

"It's a game where we would be favourites to win, but we will not think we are going to win easily.

"We have to be prepared. The players are looking forward to every game at the moment and hopefully we can come out of it with another three points."

Meanwhile, City's reserve match with Sheffield United next week has been put back 24 hours.

The game was originally scheduled for Tuesday, but the first team will now travel to Grays Athletic for their rearranged FA Trophy replay on that date.

As a result, the Blades' second string will now visit KitKat Crescent on Wednesday night for a 7pm kick-off.

City's North Riding Senior Cup semi-final against newly-formed Scarborough Athletic is to be played on Tuesday, February 26.

The fixture will take place at Bridlington Town and kicks off at 7.30pm, with the winners meeting either Whitby Town or Middlesbrough in the final.

City's reserve game against Hartlepool, originally due to be played on that date, will now be rescheduled.