York City’s strikers are being challenged to nail down a starting place against Kidderminster Harriers for the opening day of the season.

Last season’s 37-goal leading marksman Richard Brodie is the only forward to have scored in open play for the Minstermen during the club’s six pre-season fixtures.

Michael Rankine, meanwhile, has converted a penalty but Michael Gash and George Purcell are yet to get off the mark ahead of City’s final two friendlies at North Ferriby tomorrow a(1pm) and Ilkeston Town on Monday night.

City boss Martin Foyle bemoaned his side’s performance in the final third of the pitch during Tuesday night’s 3-1 victory at Market Drayton Town and, while 2009/10 Blue Square Premier Player of the Year Brodie seems a safe bet to kick off the new season at Bootham Crescent a week tomorrow, it is uncertain who will partner him in attack.

Assistant manager Andy Porter said: “It’s always nice to see names on the scoresheet and, hopefully, there will be a few more tomorrow. The gaffer has been doing a bit of work with the strikers this week so we’re hoping that will be seen in the next two games.

“We’ve still not decided who will play against Kidderminster so we will look at it against North Ferriby and Ilkeston and perhaps make up our minds on Tuesday. We are hoping to get 90 minutes out of the players who need full matches.”

Having featured in just one fixture apiece since signing for City this summer, defenders Duane Courtney and Greg Young are both in need of games and Porter believes the pair should be fit to face Ferriby in the 1pm kick-off after their respective knee and foot injuries, saying: “They both trained yesterday so we will see if they have any reactions today but, fingers crossed, they will be involved in some capacity.”

Porter added City would not be making a decision on whether to recruit possible loan cover for right-back Courtney until fully assessing the former Kidderminster defender’s fitness levels.

Meanwhile, FA Trophy winners Barrow have signed Leeds United and Scotland under-21 goalkeeper Alan Martin on a six-month loan deal.

Darlington have recruited former Rushden and Diamonds midfielder Paul Terry and veteran ex-Chesterfield defender Kevin Austin, while fellow Blue Square Bet Premier new boys Grimsby have handed defender Steve Watt a two-year deal after he left Ross County in June.

Elsewhere, AFC Wimbledon have added teenage midfielder Reece Jones to their squad after his release from Premier League outfit Fulham and Hayes and Yeading have brought in one-time York City midfielder Peter Holmes, experienced goalkeeper Lee Harrison and former Histon defender Adam Bygrave.

Winger Callum Gittings has also completed a move from Redditch United to the Minstermen’s opening day opponents Kidderminster and Wrexham have snapped up ex-Shrewsbury midfielder Jamie Tolley on a month-to-month contract while loaning out Leon Clowes and Obi Anoruo to Airbus UK and Vauxhall Motors respectively.

Another loan deal has seen Notts County ’keeper David Grof join Tamworth for a month and Altrincham have brought in Hyde United’s Kevin Holsgrove and Tom McGeady from Hibernian.

Title favourites Luton Town, meanwhile, have secured the services of Czech trialist Zdenek Kroca.