York City may have to write off midfielder Gary Pearson for the rest of the season.

The Minstermen enforcer is yet to have an operation to mend the tear in a shoulder, which has kept him out of action since early November.

The earliest he will likely undergo surgery is next week. After that he is expected to take four to five weeks to return to training if all goes well, which would take the former Darlington player well into March.

Another spell to restore him to full match fitness would leave Pearson battling to return to the senior ranks for April. City's Conference is due to end on April 23.

The prospect of not having Pearson back before the end of the season was sadly recognised by City caretaker manager Viv Busby.

"We are hoping that Gary will have his operation next week, but if that doesn't happen then it could be close to the end of the season for him," sighed Busby.

"After his op we've been told he would take four to five weeks and then we will have to get him match fit."

City's other major casualty, central defender Steve Davis, figured in Wednesday night's reserves clash against Darlington, which the Minstermen won 1-0 at Bootham Crescent.

However, Busby has resisted rushing him back to face rock-bottom Leigh RMI tomorrow.

Leigh may be at the bottom of the Conference pile but they have been making strides in the last few weeks to make sure they don't stay there.

The Lancashire club have got just seven league points from 24 games and are currently some 12 points off their nearest relegation zone neighbours.

In a bid to climb out of the bottom three, manager Geoff Luntley has made a handful of loan signings.

Young defender Milton Turner is the latest to sign up for a month from nearby Bury to complement the arrivals of Daniel Douglas-Pringle, Phil Doughty and Michael Reed - all designed to alleviate the club's miserable league standing.

Striker Reed got off to a flying start with a goal on his debut from a Douglas-Pringle knock down in the 2-1 FA Trophy defeat to Altrincham two weeks ago.

Since then, Leigh have seen little action with last Saturday's Conference game against Carlisle United postponed because of a frozen pitch followed by an extra time defeat to Northwich Victoria in the GLS Cup on Tuesday - in front of just 245 fans.

Former York City striker Martin Carruthers, 32, is poised to join struggling Cambridge United from Lincoln City on a month's loan.

Updated: 11:01 Friday, January 28, 2005