Holding their pre-match press conference at the training ground as opposed to the Community Stadium as usual gave the journalists covering York City a welcome sight on Thursday: a kitted-up Josh Stones coming off the pitch.

With 17 goals in last season's Conference-winning campaign – his first full season as a Minsterman – updates on the Leeds-born striker's fitness have become a staple of these briefings.

A glute muscle injury means Stones has not played since his infamous husky-voiced radio interview on the back of some vigorous and well-earned title celebrations.

With coach Scott Lindsey picking from the squad held by Northampton Town, he will not feature at Newport County on Saturday either as York go in search of an overdue first away win of the season, but his return is getting closer.

NINE OR TEN: York City's Ollie Pearce says he is happy in either role (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

placeholder image — NINE OR TEN: York City's Ollie Pearce says he is happy in either role (Image: Jonathan Gawthorpe)

Ollie Pearce, the striker who played off him so successfully in 2025-26 – Pearce scored 34 goals – is looking forward to that day but York’s start means it is a bonus, not a saving grace.

"I don't think there's any extra pressure on me without Josh," smiles Pearce, who has four goals and four assists without his partner in crime this term.

"I played the first season without Josh and I scored 31 goals. So it's not that I need Josh back.

"And there's goals all over the team. Newbs (Alex Newby) has chipped in with six or seven, Joe Grey's got a couple, Jovan (Malcolm)'s got three. So there's no extra pressure.

"I think it's just a different profile for each player playing up front, maybe.

"But I'm looking forward to him coming back because he's a massive player for us and he's had a long time on the injury table.

"So I think I speak for everyone when I say I can't wait to have him back."

Stones' return will change things for Pearce, though. With him, he plays the position corresponding to the ten on his back, as an inside-forward in a 3-4-2-1 formation, but without him he is the No 9.

"I don't really mind where I'm playing," insists Pearce when asked by The Yorkshire Post which he prefers. "I think in this system, and certainly the system that the old manager (Stuart Maynard) played, the bigger striker maybe suits it a little bit more.

"But I'll try and put myself out there, try and get around a bit.

"Josh's profile probably suits us a little bit more but it doesn't mean that I can't play out there when needed."