York City will be without leading scorer Richard Brodie when lining-up against Corby Town in the FA Trophy third round at KitKat Crescent this weekend.

The 27-goal striker is suspended for two games after receiving his tenth caution of the campaign in the midweek replay agaainst Newport County.

Richard Pacquette was the eventual match-winner in that game courtesy of an injury-time strike, and he is set to keep his place in attack alongside either Michael Rankine or Michael Gash.
Richard Pacquette (left) celebrates scoring for Havant & Waterlooville against Liverpool at Anfield in an FA Cup fourth round tie in January 2008

“Richard did very well to last 90 minutes on Tuesday, being without a full game under his belt. He knows what the standard is and what we need from him," manager Martin Foyle told The Press.

“We’re looking at partnerships all over the pitch and we know there will be opportunities for most of the players between now and the end of the season. “He’s been unlucky because he broke into the team after a patient start and then he got sent off at Gateshead.

“He got a hamstring problem soon afterwards and has picked up a few injuries but he’s always had a smile on his face and been the first to come into the changing room after every game to congratulate the team and the strikers. We signed him because of his ability to score goals and that’s not changed.”

Rankine and goalkeeper Michael Ingham have both recovered from the injuries that kept them out against Newport, while centre-back David McGurk has also been passed fit after having four stitches in a head wound.

But midfielder Alex Lawless is still struggling with the knee problem that has restricted him to the sidelines recently.

Corby will be looking to make the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time in their history. The visitors currently stand eighth in Blue Square North, but have won eight of their last nine away fixtures.

Leading scorer Leon Mettam is expected to return after missing their recent home defeat to Solihull,  while midfielder Steve Towers should also be available.

However, striker Jack Defty is cup-tied and full-back Dean West is absent with a calf problem.