YORK City goalkeeper George Sykes-Kenworthy has joined National League North side Alfreton Town on loan until the end of the season.
The shot-stopper made 25 appearances for the Minstermen last season after joining from Bradford (Park Avenue) but has not played competitively for the club in almost a year.
He has had a difficult 2024-25 season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a freak foot injury, with boss Adam Hinshelwood stressing he would only pursue a loan move for the 25-year-old should he be ready to return to action.
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“I think that might be an option,” he told The Press of a potential loan move for the shot-stopper earlier this month.
“But he’s still nowhere near 100 per cent yet. He’s still feeling it and he’s still a little bit shaky on certain movements and stuff.
“We’d be wrong to force him to go and play when he’s not ready.
“It’s something that we’re definitely considering, but as the deadline moves closer, we don’t want to put that pressure on him and force to go out and get game time.
“If he gets into a good position where he could potentially go and do himself justice by playing and getting game time, then we’ll definitely look at it, but the last thing we want is force him and get in his head that he needs to get out or get a move. We want to take that time for him.
“It’s great to have him back in the squad and it’s great to have him back around with the lads, but the last thing we want to do is force it at this last stage. It’s important that we wait until George is fully ready and up to speed.”
Sykes-Kenworthy is no stranger to the National League North, with over a century of appearances in the sixth tier to his name.
He could make his Alfreton debut as early as this evening when Billy Heath’s side take on Darlington.
