OUT-OF-CONTRACT left-back Dave Merris has turned down his offer of a new one-year deal with York City.

But Merris, 24, has requested a meeting with City manager Billy McEwan to discuss his KitKat Crescent future and could still put pen to paper for next season.

The Evening Press Player of the Year had previously indicated that he would still be with the Minstermen in 2005/2006 but McEwan said: "Dave Merris has turned his new contract offer down. I don't think it's a flat refusal but he has put it in writing and said he would like to have a chat which, when I have got the time, we will do to see what he's feeling."

McEwan added that the reasons for Merris initially rejecting his offer would remain a private matter between the player and manager but it is believed the decision could have been financial with the City boss saying: "Players have got to understand the situation the club is in and what level we are operating at because we don't want to get into a mess financially again."

Last season's top scorer Andy Bishop, meanwhile, has had an operation to clear up his knee tendonitis and it has been declared successful by a specialist.

Bishop will now join the rest of City's contracted players for three weeks of closed-season training starting next Wednesday.

McEwan has asked players to report back to Wigginton Road because of the abnormally long break caused by the Conference campaign ending on April 23.

He said: "There probably won't be many bodies but it's just a matter of keeping the players ticking over. It's a long break and I don't want them off all summer. They will still get a decent holiday."

McEwan is also waiting to see if Rushden & Diamonds take up an option to sign recent City trialist Farjan Afandiyev, who is currently training with the League Two club.

If the Nene Park club do not pursue their interest in Afandiyev City will invite the ex-Azerbaijan under-21 goalkeeper to pre-season training along with freed Oldham Athletic teenage midfielder Ashley Wynn.

McEwan added that it was too early to speculate whether last season's on-loan players Jon Maloney and Ben Jackson will return to KitKat Crescent on a permanent basis after being released by Doncaster Rovers.

He said: "It's possible but I don't know. There's going to be a lot of players available and we will have to wait and see what's out there."

McEwan also said that the club had received no inquries for transfer-listed duo Steve Davis and Paul D Robinson.

The Conference final play-off will be between Carlisle United and Stevenage.

Carlisle had to survive a thrilling penalty shoot-out in which they trailed 3-1 to Aldershot before battling back to win 5-4 thanks to a winning spot-kick from Danny Livesey.

In normal time it was he who had put the Cumbrians in front before veteran Chris Billy struck to fire the hosts into a 2-0 lead on the night and 2-1 overall.

But the Shots' Jamie Slabber levelled five minutes into stoppage time to take the tie into extra time and the penalty shoot-out.

Stevenage's progress was less complicated.

They travelled to the Edgar Street home of Hereford and settled the semi-final with a 69th-minute Dino Maamria goal for a 2-1 aggregate triumph.

Updated: 10:01 Saturday, May 07, 2005