JAKE Young has been told to stay positive as City mull over whether to send him out on loan.

The former Forest Green striker joined the club on a three-year deal but has not seen any league involvement for nearly four months after scoring four goals early in the season.

Young is likely to be targeted for a loan move during the transfer window but that will be down to Mark Hughes.

“I’m under no pressure to allow anybody out,” said the City boss.

“At times it becomes a numbers game and if I feel they need to be lowered then I possibly may look at it.

“There’s no real pressure. We’ll look at every opportunity in terms of incomings and outgoings with some people.

“We’ll make judgements based on what we think is right.”

Young scored City’s first goal of the season at Barrow and then netted three in two games against Sheffield Wednesday in the Papa Johns Trophy and Walsall.

But his 62-minute outing in the win over Tranmere in mid-September was his last league action with Hughes stating that he was not at the level of other strikers.

Young has made only two Trophy appearances since - the most recent in the 4-0 loss to Burton on October 18. He has not even been named on the bench in the 12 games City have played since.

Hughes admits it is a tough situation for Young but says he is spoilt for options within the squad.

He added: “At the moment, there are just people ahead of him. That’s the reality of it.

“It’s difficult to populate the bench with everybody I would like.

“I’ve got to try and cover every eventuality and at the moment he can’t get into the matchday 11.

“The likes of Abo (Eisa) is back, Jamie Walker as well. Tyreik (Wright) is doing exceptionally well so he’s just a little behind those guys right now.

“I want to get minutes into Jamie, so I want to involve him.

“It’s difficult for Jake but he’s just got to be positive and keep training well and then he’ll get opportunities, I’m sure. He’s just got to bide his time.”

Lee Angol is another striker who has found himself on the fringes, although he is currently sidelined.

“Lee’s injured right now unfortunately,” said Hughes. “It looks like he’s going to be another couple of weeks.”

City are back in training today after two days off as they begin the build-up to Tuesday’s home game against Rochdale.

Despite consecutive Valley Parade victories, Hughes has no problem with another free weekend for his side.

“I think it’s okay, I’m fine with it. The lads have come through an intense period over the last week with games thick and fast.

“It’s good to have the opportunity to regroup and get all the recovery strategies into everybody. We’ve just moved our working week along a couple of days.

“We’ll make sure they are all fit and well for a full week of training before the Rochdale game.

“I’m not too uncomfortable with it. I think it will do us good."