With no return date yet for Josh Stones as he struggles with a back problem, and now fitness concerns over Dipo Akinyemi, new City head coach Scott Lindsey has confirmed that the club may be in the market for another centre-forward to provide competition for Ollie Pearce. While Lindsey won’t be the only person involved in drawing up a list of potential signings, it’s worth taking a look at what kind of strikers he has favoured before, and considering whether any of them might be a good fit at York.
Harry McKirdy (29, unattached)
Lindsey has worked with the livewire McKirdy at two separate clubs: firstly during a prolific spell at Swindon before the striker secured a move to Hibernian in 2022, then at Crawley last season. On signing McKirdy for Crawley, Lindsey commented “Harry is a fantastic talent, and is someone I have worked closely with before…the fans are going to love Harry; he’s a great character, and he will score and create goals”. In a season of struggle for the Red Devils, however, he wasn’t able to find his best form and only scored 8 times.
Something of a mercurial character, McKirdy has run into off-pitch issues at previous clubs, but may be someone that Lindsey trusts to understand his playing style. McKirdy offers pace, a willingness to run at defences and an eye for the unpredictable. The likelihood that he may reunite again with Lindsey is increased by the fact that he is currently without a club, and has been part of the PFA pre-season camp for unattached players this summer. He has also tweeted in support of the York head coach after the recent win over Bristol Rovers. While a move for McKirdy would be risky, the fact he has yet to find a club over summer could open up the possibility for a short-term punt while City’s other forwards work their way back to match fitness.
Scott Hogan (34, unattached)
