York City club captain Steve Davis has applauded caretaker manager Viv Busby's decision to make Chris Brass first-team skipper in his absence.

Davis hopes to return to action after a hip injury in the New Year but, in the meantime, he is pleased that his former Burnley team-mate will be donning the armband.

Centre-back Brass was given an excellent reception by away supporters at Woking on Saturday in his first match since being relieved of his managerial duties and Davis said: "The decision is fine by me. Viv is trying to give Chris that responsibility on the pitch and, with me not being fit, he's the natural choice.

"He's got leadership qualities as you can't become a manager without being a leader. He's also vocal and his attitude on the pitch is fantastic. He sets a good example, especially to the younger lads."

Davis added that he had found it particularly hard to watch on from the sidelines helplessly as his long-time friend struggled to get results in games that eventually cost him his job as manager.

The 36-year-old defender said: "It's been murder - an absolute nightmare.

"I don't want to go back to what's happened to Chris but I'm disappointed with what's gone on although I understand results led to the decision."

Davis hopes to resume jogging shortly and his return could coincide with the current scheduled end of Lee Grant's second loan month from Aston Villa on January 4.

Grant made a solid City debut at Woking and Davis believes he is an able deputy, saying: "I've seen him once in training and once playing for the reserves against Huddersfield and he was impressive.

"He's dominant in the air which is nice to see, and he's somebody who will come through and win headers, as well as looking very confident on the ball."

Davis also admitted that he was disappointed that former Blackpool team-mate Chris Clarke struggled during his brief stay at Bootham Crescent.

Clarke made just five mistake-riddled appearances before the Minstermen allowed him to leave on a free transfer to Halifax Town.

The 6ft 3in tall defender could be in the Shaymen's side at York on December 7 and Davis believes he is capable of better form, saying: "It did not work out for him at York but Chris Wilder has taken him back to Halifax because he knows what he can do having played alongside him. That's why we got him at York. Chris had played with him at Halifax and he asked me to get in touch with him as I had also played with him at Blackpool.

"In pre-season he did really well but I think the first league game at Aldershot just shot him to bits and he never really recovered.

"He will be disappointed because you don't want to leave any club after just a couple of months but he's still got plenty of time to learn from his time here."

FORMER York City goalkeeper Paul Crichton made his debut for Accrington Stanley on Saturday after leaving Leigh RMI. Crichton, who left Bootham Crescent after arguing with Minstermen supporters at Gravesend, could now face his old club in the Conference Cup on January 25 and the Easter Monday Conference clash.

Updated: 09:44 Tuesday, November 23, 2004