ACADEMY coach Jonathan Greening could make a surprise second debut for York City against Plymouth tomorrow.
The former Premier League midfielder has re-registered as a player for the Minstermen on a non-contract basis.
The 36-year-old began his career at Bootham Crescent and progressed through the youth system at during the mid-1990s before going on to enjoy an illustrious career in English football.
Upon leaving North Yorkshire for Manchester United in 1998 for a fee which could have potentially risen to £2 million, the attacking midfielder made 27 appearance for the Red Devils during a four year spell and was part of their 1999 UEFA Champions League Final squad.
He collected most of his 17 caps for England’s Under-21 squad during his time at Old Trafford before moving to Middlesbrough where in three campaigns he made over a century of appearances, collecting the Player of the Year award in 2003.
The Scarborough-born midfielder moved to West Bromwich Albion a year later and helped them secure survival in their first season back in the top flight and picked up the Player of the Year award the following campaign as the Baggies suffered relegation.
Greening didn’t jump ship however and led them to an FA Cup Semi-Final in 2008 before a month later leading the West Midlands club back to the Premier League.
A spell at Fulham followed in 2009 under Roy Hodgson and he helped the London club to the 2010 UEFA Europa League Final against Atletico Madrid in his first season by the River Thames.
Before hanging up his boots, he spent time at Nottingham Forest, Barnsley and Tadcaster Albion and in late 2014 returned to York City as the Club’s Development Phase Coach.
Following the news of Greening’s registration, manager Jackie McNamara said: “With a number of key midfielders out of action and Bryn Morris being away with England’s Under-20s, Jonathan will bring experience to the side which could prove vital for us.
“He played in a behind-closed-doors friendly recently and I know he is excited about having the opportunity of playing for York City once more.”
McNamara confirmed that Greening will go straight into his squad for tomorrow’s home match against Plymouth in Sky Bet League Two.
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