YORK City manager Michael Morton has confirmed that Lenell John-Lewis will remain as club captain, although he is a doubt for Saturday’s home opener with Kidderminster Harriers.

City kick-off their 2023/24 home campaign at the LNER Community Stadium against newly-promoted Kidderminster, one week after York’s 2-1 defeat to Wealdstone in the Vanarama National League.

Morton will be without his captain John-Lewis, as well as the suspended Callum Howe, but confirmed that his side are nearing full strength, with Tyler Cordner set to make his competitive club debut.

“Lenny will be club captain.” Morton confirmed.

“He’s a great character around the place, he’s a really good calming influence, loads of good experience and it would be silly to change that.

“In terms of when he’s not playing that’s just something we need to look at, with the characters we’ve brought in, five or six players were captains at their previous clubs.

“They haven’t got the armband and once they come out of their shell they can be leaders on the pitch, we’ve got a decision to make for who will step in when Lenny isn’t playing.”

“Callum [Howe] is out. Everybody else is near enough fit, there’s a few niggly injuries.

“Lenny has been feeling his groin a little bit, then Ducky [Michael Duckworth] has been feeling his Achilles so we need to have a look at them.

“They didn’t train too much today so we’ll have a look at them and then go again tomorrow.

“Tyler[Cordner] is fit, he’s been training all week and had a full session today. Hopefully he’ll be in a good state ready for Saturday.”