YORK City caretaker boss Viv Busby has told out-of-favour Lev Yalcin to transform his training ground promise on to the playing field.

Yalcin has started only two games this season despite the Minstermen's poor Conference form and has recently further lessened his chances of first-team action by stating a preference for playing in midfield rather than as a striker.

The Turkish Under-20 international scored a goal of the season contender at Morecambe this season but is still expected to be on the substitutes' bench for tomorrow's home match against Carlisle.

Speaking at last night's York Minster-men meeting, Busby said: "He's got everything but what he can't do is transform his training ground performances on to the pitch. If he could, he would start every game because he's got pace, power and can shoot.

"In training he never gives the ball away but for the reserves on Wednesday night I was so disappointed with what he did. He has got to do more of what we expect from him.

"Games pass him by but if we get him going and we are patient with him he's got enough in his locker to be a great player if he gets his head together. He wants to play in the first team but you have got to look at what he gives us.

"Is he giving us more than somebody else would?"

Busby added that City's current predicament means it is unlikely that Yalcin will be given a run in midfield, where he would be perceived as a luxury unless he develops the defensive side of his game.

The acting manager said: "He's told me he wants to play in midfield because he believes he's not too clever with his back to goal but I can't give him a run in there at the moment because of the results situation. He's got more energy than Paul Groves but doesn't know the position as well.

"I think Paul Groves and Darren Dunning have a decent relationship going. I also saw a game when Gary Pearson played in front of the back four and started everything off,

"If Lev was in the team we would have to have somebody who would just stay in there and let him do what he wants but then we would have to be accommodating him and if a move broke down we could get punished. He's got to learn how to defend and then he's got a chance of playing in midfield."

Busby also revealed Yalcin's agent claims to have fielded enquiries from other clubs about the 19-year-old's availability.

"I've been told one or two clubs want to look at him in training for a week as Darlington did and if they want to pay money for him I'm sure the board would be interested as we won't stand in anyone's way if somebody from a higher division came in," Busby said.

The caretaker-boss added he felt Chris Brass should not have been sacked as manager, saying: "For me, the board reacted to the presssure of the crowd at the Forest Green match and it was not the right decision. I don't know what's in the board's mind for the future and I don't know if they have any money for bringing anybody in.

"If they wanted to make me manager I would have to think about it but they would not have to pay me off. I have no contract as didn't want to put the board under any more pressure. The money they are paying me is awful but I'm not here for the money."

Updated: 10:53 Friday, November 26, 2004