York City duo face late fitness tests for Ebbsfleet test

York City will welcome an Ebbsfleet side rooted to the foot of the Vanarama National League, managing just one win all season, and with just one win since April6.

Adam Hinshelwood may receive a boost to his team selection, with a key York duo facing late fitness tests on their availability for the match at the LNER Community Stadium on Saturday.

Fagan-Walcott, who has enjoyed an impressive start to his City career, suffered a minor hamstring setback, seeing the Cardiff City loanee York’s last four matches.

Nathaniel-George was also reported to have tweaked his hamstring in City’s 3-0 victory at Solihull Moors, but could be in line for a return this weekend.

“Malachi [is doing] really well, him and Nathaniel-George have been back out running this week.

“Whether if they will both be fit for Saturday or not is going to be touch and go, we will see how they react and how they are on Friday.

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“Hopefully they are not too far away are those two, which is a real positive.

“I think that’s it, it’s obviously a big blow for Lenell [John-Lewis] with his tendon in his hamstring.

“It might put him back quite a while will that one, it’s a shame for Len himself, but also for what he has done for us this season.

“He is our top goal scorer and has had a real impact for us.

“He will be a big miss.”

Hinshelwood also confirmed that Tyler Cordner, who is currently on loan from York to Ebbsfleet, is allowed to play against City on Saturday due to the agreement of his loan contract.

The York manager hopes it will be an opportunity to see how Cordner has progressed, as well as have a catch-up with the defender.

Hinshelwood provided an update on his other defensive options, offering the latest on Adam Crookes, Darragh O’Connor and Levi Andoh.

“Tyler is available to play, yes.

“It’ll be good to see Tyler and have a good catch-up with him, we’ll see how he’s progressing and how he’s getting on.

“He [Crookes] had another scan and there is still a little something there, so he’s progressing but can’t go too quick with it.

Tyler Cordner is eligible to play against York City on Saturday. (Image: Tom Poole) “We were hoping that it would all be recovered by now and that he would be back running fully, but he’s progressing really well and is doing lots of the training sessions.

“I don’t think that he is too far away.

“Darragh is a bit more longer-term.

“He’s probably looking at the start of December before he is back training.

“He’s [Andoh] back sprinting and running now, he’ll be back available for training next week.

“He’s one that we can have a proper look at when he’s back training next.”

Another York face that is currently restricted to the sidelines is winger Zanda Siziba, who has not yet made an appearance for City this season.

Siziba spent time on loan at Spennymoor Town, managing six appearances and one goal during his time in the Vanarama National League North.

His short-term loan deal came to an end through injury, with Hinshelwood expecting the former Ipswich Town winger to be unavailable for at least the next six weeks.

“He’s still in a knee brace at the moment.

“He’s still a little way away from being available, probably six weeks minimum from being available to train for us.

“It’s not good for Zanda, but as soon as that knee brace can come off, his work load will then increase and he can fully focus on getting back onto the training pitch.”