Former Prem forward Gary Madine in training with York City

Madine, who represented Cardiff City in the Premier League during the 2018/19 season, has been training with the York first-team whilst he looks for his next club, following his release from Blackpool at the end of the 2022/23 campaign.

The 33-year-old striker has been without a club for over a year, despite having previous experience in the EFL with the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Sheffield Wednesday and Sheffield United.

City boss Adam Hinshelwood confirmed that Madine had been training with the club as a favour to first-team coach Tony McMahon, who played alongside the trainee in a spell with Blackpool in 2015, and that it was unlikely that any contract would be put forward for the forward.

“Yeah he’s come in, but it’s more of a favour to Macca really,” Hinshelwood confirmed.

“He came in and just kept himself ticking over, he’s relatively local to the area being from the North East.

“It’s more of a favour to Macca really, it’s good that Gary can come in and train with us.

“I don’t think we’re in a position unfortunately to do anything on that front.”

Hinshelwood would confirm that whilst any incomings were unlikely, one City player could be heading to the exit door to help with his recovery from injury.

Levi Andoh looks set to join Vanarama National League North side Darlington on a one-month loan, to play alongside ex-City representatives Scott Barrow, Cedric Main, Jonny Haase and Alex Payne, and also under the tutelage of former York manager Steve Watson.

Hinshelwood explained: “Some deals are close. We’re looking at Levi going to Darlington to get some minutes for a month as well. He’s obviously missed a lot of football and he is one we will look to get out very soon.

“Levi is another one that really needs some game time, so we’re working hard on trying to get him out and trying to get him some game time.

“With Levi it is a case of he’s missed out on so much football, and obviously now that the games have started, it will be hard to get him that game time that he needs.

“He needs some game time and to get a little bit of confidence, just to play his football.”

Andoh was due to feature in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Scunthorpe United on Tuesday, which was cancelled, meaning that the Minstermen featured in a in-house friendly.

Levi Andoh is set to join Darlington on a one-month loan. (Image: Tom Poole)

Hinshelwood involved academy players in that match, and was pleased with the experience they gained whilst being involved with a real life simulation of a senior match, playing against first-team options within the squad.

“We tried to do an in-house game, so we brought a few of the young lads over to training on Tuesday and had some of them join in a 11v11.

“Some were doing some work and really helped us get on a game. Hopefully they’ve got some insight on what we want and what we expect as well. Having them there and having them involved has really helped us this week.”

Another man to be playing his football elsewhere for the next week is that of Zanda Siziba, who has joined Spennymoor Town on a one-month loan.

Siziba made 19 appearances for City last season, but due to injury in pre-season isn’t yet up to the standards required of Hinshelwood.

“We’re just getting him game time. He’s probably a bit behind at the moment and it’s important for him to go and get game time. It’s just so that if he’s needed, then he’s in a better shape and a better place,” Hinshelwood said.