Harrogate Town manager hoping that Sam Jones 'proves a point' while on loan at York City

The 28-year-old attacker has made just two starts for the Wetherby Road outfit since arriving from Shrewsbury last summer and will see out the rest of 2019/20 in National League North with the Minstermen.

Jones has already been out on loan to Town's National League rivals Solihull Moors this term, but is yet to even be selected by Weaver in a match-day squad since his return in early January.

And, with a re-call seemingly not on the cards, the Harrogare boss was keen for his player to go out and get games elsewhere.

"It's a good move for Sam because he needs games of football and the chance to prove himself," Weaver said.

"He's got great ability and pedigree and he is hungry to play.

"I know he will want to prove a point because he is the one who I've been leaving out. If he does that at York then I'll be happy for him. I want him to do well.

"Sam is under contract with us until the end of next season, so if he does the business for the York then we'll have a real asset coming back to us in the summer."

Jones hasn’t been seen in a Town shirt since he scored in a 1-1 draw at Maidenhead United on September 21.

Indeed, the ex-Grimsby Town forward has only been included in a match-day 16 twice since then, though Weaver says that this is simply due to the fact that the players in front of him in the pecking order have done nothing to warrant dropping.

"There's been no fall-out. Sam's just been unlucky and not had much of a chance since he came here," he added.

"He hasn't had many opportunities due to the form of the other lads, and that is just down to my opinion.

"What's gone against Sam recently is the fact that the team hasn't played badly in consecutive games for some time now. There was a poor half against Wrexham and a disappointing 45 at Aldershot, but not enough to warrant me tearing things up in terms of selection and making big changes

"Sam has looked bright and been training well, however Jack Muldoon and Jon Stead have been performing for us of late, and in Kian [Harratt] and Brendan [Kiernan] there are two more forwards on the bench pushing those two for a starting role."

Jones scored one goal and made six appearances for Town after joining from League One Shrewsbury in the summer. Four of those outings were from the substitutes’ bench.

His loan deal does not include a cause that would allow Weaver to re-call him from York before the end of the season, should he wish to do so.