YORK City's Lev Yalcin will be considered by new manager Billy McEwan as an out-and-out striker despite the player's recent stated preference to play in midfield.

Yalcin replaced Paul D Robinson after 77 minutes of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Forest Green Rovers.

With Lee Nogan having left the club, the Turkish under-20 international could also be required more in a forward role during coming weeks.

McEwan said: "I am listening to other people at the club like Paul Stancliffe and Brian Neaves during the early part of my job because they know the players better than I do. They told me that the boy Yalcin can play as a forward and also in midfield but he's young and I wanted his fresh legs up there against Forest Green.

"Paul Robinson was tired and I'd been told Yalcin has ability so I told him to go on and try to make a name for himself."

McEwan also had words of praise for Yalicin's fellow teenagers Graeme Law - who replaced Michael Staley in City's starting line-up because of a hamstring injury - and Byron Webster for his goal assist and general midfield display.

The Scotsman, who nurtured the likes of Malcolm Christie while on Derby County's coaching staff, believes he can now help City's crop of youngsters fulfil their potential, saying: "I get a lot of satisfaction from working with young players and getting them to make progress in the game.

"I can improve them. That's not me being blas because my record in the past proves that.

"I was proud of the youngsters against Forest Green. Other teams might have folded after the penalty decision because it raised the morale of the home crowd and we saw what our players were made of then against a team scrapping for their lives."

McEwan will be without one of his teenage charges for Saturday's home match with Woking because of a one-match suspension

Left-back Sean Davies was available for selection at Forest Green despite reaching five bookings in the previous game against Aldershot.

As the Shots clash was played on a Sunday, the seven-day grace ruling came into effect.

McEwan also admitted that he prefers to have a member of his coaching staff watching the game in the stands and getting an alternative view of matches, having kept in contact with Stancliffe by mobile phone at Forest Green.

Triallists Paul Weller and Giovanni Carchedi had the chance to impress McEwan for the reserves at Halifax today.

McEwan agreed to honour the agreement made before his appointment to play Weller and Carchedi in a second trial match.

City reserves: Stockdale, Staley, Davis, Grant, Smith, Weller, Yalcin, Constable, Collins, Paul Robinson, Carchedi. Subs: Coad, Reid, Haw, Baynes, Kamara.

Updated: 10:02 Wednesday, February 16, 2005