Simon Weaver hopeful that injured Harrogate Town duo will recover in time for opening-day clash

Relegated from League Two at the end of last term, the Sulphurites will play their first National League fixture in six years on Saturday afternoon when they entertain Solihull Moors at Wetherby Road.

Town will definitely be without two key men for that game, with winger Ellis Taylor and Ben Fox still working their way back from injuries picked up at the back end of the previous campaign.

In addition, defender Grant Horton faces a spell on the sidelines after damaging his thigh during last month’s friendly win at Cleethorpes, while new signing Josh Hmami is recovering from a minor muscular issue and will likely miss out.

And there are also question marks over the availability of summer signings Williams and McGuckin, neither of whom featured in the club’s final pre-season outing – a 2-1 home success over Scarborough Athletic.

Midfielder Williams sat in the stands for that game, while forward McGuckin was named as a substitute but did not come on after reporting during the half-time warm-up that he could still feel the muscular issue he picked up at South Shields a fortnight ago.

"Morgan is carrying what feels like a bit of a thigh strain, but it is actually neural,” Weaver told BBC Radio York.

"But, we have still got to nip it in the bud, because even if it is neural, it is still uncomfortable for a player to play with that when they feel they can’t go 100 percent.

"Ciaran is still not right. He was on the bench, but while he was warming up at half-time he voiced his concern because he didn’t feel that he is rid of the problem that has been nagging him.

"So, we will probably scan him and make sure that he doesn’t have anything severe lurking behind what we think is a hip flexor strain.

"He will be a big player for us, so we need him right. Morgan should be back for Saturday, and I am hoping that Ciaran is as well.”

It also remains to be seen whether another of Town’s new recruits – experienced defender Tom Lees – will be available for selection against Solihull.

The 35-year-old former Leeds United and Sheffield Wednesday man became the Sulphurites’ headline capture of the summer when he turned down offers from the Football League to sign on last week, having spent last season playing regularly for League One Peterborough United.

But, he was not involved against Scarborough, and comments from Alex Bruce – manager of Rotherham United where Lees had recently been on trial – explained the veteran’s absence.

"He's had a slight injury over the course of pre-season,” Miller boss Bruce told the Rotherham Advertiser. "He's had a little nick in his calf.

"It's nothing major, but we've not been able to see him working with the group.”

However, although not able to play any part at the weekend, Lees was fit enough to train with Town on Monday morning, and is now in the process of working his way back to full fitness.

Town’s opening-day-of-the-season clash with Solihull gets underway at the Marcy Fitness Stadium at 3pm this Saturday.