THREE crucial members of the York City squad face late fitness tests to feature in the Minstermen’s final Vanarama National League match of the season.

Adam Hinshelwood has been without Dipo Akinyemi, Callum Howe and Maz Kouhyar during training this week, with the trio all doubts for Saturday’s trip to Solihull Moors (12.15pm).

The York boss confirmed that Akinyemi was back in training this week after struggling in last Saturday’s 2-0 triumph over Woking, whilst Howe (back) and Kouhyar (illness) have both missed portions of training.

Rory Watson, who was initially ruled out for the remainder of the campaign, is set to travel down with the City squad alongside the returning vice-captain Ryan Fallowfield from his suspension, whilst Sam Fishburn has departed York and returned to parent club Fleetwood Town.

“He’s [Akinyemi] been resting all week, he’s back running today with Lewis [Bulmer, physio] and Paul [Harmston, sports scientist] doing some work,” Hinshelwood confirmed.

“It was a positive to see him in his boots for the first time this week and running around. Him and Rory are probably a similar sort of injury in terms of hamstring, we’ll have to see how they come through and react to the work they have done today. They’ll both be travelling down with the squad.

“We’ve got Callum Howe who has missed a couple of training sessions through a bit of tightness in his back, but we’re hoping again that he might have to get on the coach a little bit earlier so he can get up and get moving around.

“He’s 30 now is Callum, he’s recently had his birthday, so he’ll have to make some different plans but we’re hoping he’ll be fully fit.

“Maz has been struggling as well with illness, there’s a few players there with slight concerns over.

“We’re hoping though, that we will have a clean bill of health on Saturday.

“The physios and the medical staff obviously look at the severity of what could happen and the risk goes up for those players if they are coming back too soon.

“We’ve got to weigh it all up, look at the risks, and if it’s a case of someone re-aggravating an injury and being out for a little bit of time over the Summer, then that’s something we’ve got to look at potentially.

“It’s got to be a conversation where we are all open and honest, the coaches will push for the players to strap up.


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“It’s only one game before we have a nice Summer to enjoy it, the medical staff will look at the risks and the high level of risks that can happen, then it’s down to the player to take all of the advice.”

Hinshelwood also confirmed that vice-captain Ryan Fallowfield has now served his suspension and will be reinstated directly back into the starting eleven.

The City boss also spoke on the fitness and future of midfielder Leone Gravata, who made one appearance in a drab 0-0 draw with Kidderminster Harriers, with Hinshelwood expecting a Summer of hard work from the former Eastbourne Borough man.

“Ryan will come straight back in, we’ve got one or two we’re not quite sure on injury wise but he has been brilliant for us at the back or in right-back, right-wing where I think he has played this year.

“He’s a really good character and it’s important that we have those out on the pitch.

“[Gravata] It’s going to come a bit too soon, there’s a problem with his groin and there isn’t enough strength in it.

“No one is more disappointed than me that he isn’t able to feature, now he’s got to get a bit stronger so he’s ready to play at this sort of level.

“I think first impressions are quite important, and he’s come to the club and not had the best of games in his first game.

“It’s on him now to rally turn people’s opinions and show what he’s all about, what he can do.

“There’s no better way than having a fresh Summer to rebuild and become as fresh and strong as possible, I’m sure he’ll do that because he will want to come and show what he is all about.”

Fishburn’s time with City is over too after suffering a groin injury, with the towering striker returning to parent club Fleetwood.

The 20-year-old attacker made three appearances for the Minstermen, failing to net a goal, and returns to Fleetwood to receive treatment on his groin injury.

Hinshelwood told the Press: “He’s had to go back to Fleetwood.

“He’s had a groin problem, it’s a real blow for us to not have that sort of firepower in the forward areas.”