York City near loan move for Leeds United striker Luca Thomas

As reported on Monday, York have shown interest in Leeds United youngster Thomas with a view towards a potential loan deal.

A long-term hamstring injury to City captain and top goalscorer Lenell John-Lewis has seen Hinshelwood’s options become limited in the forward line, with Thomas being seen as an ideal temporary replacement for ‘the Shop’.

Thomas has been in training with the Minstermen to allow Hinshelwood the opportunity to cast a closer eye over his talents, with City confirming that plans were in place to hopefully bring in the striker before the match against Ebbsfleet United on Saturday, October 19 (3pm).

“Leeds have let him train with us for the last few days, so we can cast an eye over him, and we have done that,” Hinshelwood confirmed.

“We’ve been impressed with what we have seen, so it’s down to us to have a chat with Tony [McMahon, Director of Football] and then speak to Leeds and see what is best.

“We’ve been really encouraged by what we have seen from him and we’re hoping that we will be able to do something there.

“We’re hoping, he’s been in for a few days and have liked what we have seen so far, so we will sit down with Tony tomorrow and speak to Leeds to see what we can try and arrange.”

Hinshelwood hopes that the introduction of a younger face to the squad could be a positive for York, with the City boss discussing the mindset he believes that Thomas will adopt by playing for the Minstermen in the Vanarama National League.

Despite Thomas also being viewed as a direct replacement for the injured John-Lewis, Hinshelwood admitted that the pair are two very different sort of strikers, providing supporters with an insight into what sort of player Thomas is.

“It can be a breath of fresh air, they [young players] are so desperate to come and play men’s football and show what they are all about, show their worth, and we’re getting a very talented player if we can manage to get Luca in.

“He’ll be one that is eager and keen to progress his career as well, so we’ll get the enthusiasm side a little bit more which could be good at this stage of the season as well.

“They are different kinds of players, but are obviously both strikers.

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“Luca is probably a bit more running off of the shoulder, a bit quicker and has a lovely left foot.

“He definitely knows where the back of the net is, so he’s definitely a different type of player.

“Len is more of a target man, holds up the ball brilliantly for us in the latter stages of the game when we potentially have to go a little bit longer.

“They are similar positions, but don’t play quite the same sort of stuff.”

Hinshelwood is also hopeful that City can begin to build a stronger relationship with clubs that are located near to York that currently play their football in higher divisions, with Leeds being a prime example.

“It’s so important, for us as a club as well.

“There are some really big clubs on our doorstep and we count ourselves as a big club as well.

“It’s good for these younger players to come and experience playing in front of a big crowd each week, for a big club and with the pressures that come with that.

“If we can form these relationships, then I think we will be better for it.

“We had a game against Leeds and Luca did well, he scored against us and that’s pass and parcel of having these games.

“We played against Hull recently as well, so we get to look at first-hand what players are out there and available.”

York have also taken former Swansea City and Plymouth Argyle winger Jordan Garrick on trial, with the 26-year-old being considered as a potential target for Hinshelwood.

Former Swansea City and Forest Green Rovers winger Jordan Garrick is on trial with York City. (Image: Newsquest) Garrick, who began his career in West Yorkshire with now-dissolved Ossett Albion, joined Swansea aged 17, making his professional debut in the Sky Bet Championship four years later.

He would go on to accumulate 14 appearances with the Swans, whilst also having loan spells with both Swindon Town, Plymouth and Lincoln City.

Garrick would soon leave Swansea for an undisclosed fee, joining Forest Green Rovers in Sky Bet League One, with the now-National League outfit suffering back-to-back relegations to return to non-league.

The 26-year-old is now a free agent, and has been training with York, with Hinshelwood admitting that he was not yet ready for regular game time.

Hinshelwood continued: “I don’t think anyone else will happen before the weekend, we’ve had Jordan Garrick, who has played a game for us, come in and train.

“He lives in Leeds and has trained with us, but he is probably a bit far away from being ready for game time yet.

“Again, we’ve been impressed by him.

“He’s 26, a wide player, has good pedigree and has played for a few clubs higher up in the pyramid.

“He lives in Leeds and is one that was available to come in and train with us, and he’s done well.

“He’s probably a bit rusty where he hasn’t done too much, so he needs a little bit longer for us to look at.”