YORK City caretaker boss Viv Busby saw his selection problems intensify at Woking, where midfielder Darren Dunning earned himself a one-match suspension.

Dunning was shown his fifth yellow card of the season after 87 minutes of the 1-0 defeat at Kingfield because of dissent and will now be unavailable for this weekend's home match with high-flying Carlisle United.

The 23-year-old's absence - he and Paul Groves are the only ever-presents for City - will be felt even more if Gary Pearson fails to beat his shoulder problem.

Teenager Matthew Coad is also sidelined with a groin strain, leaving fellow junior Kane Ashcroft as the only other possible option in the centre of the park unless Busby can persuade the board to bring in a new face this week.

Busby said: "I will have to look at doing something about that."

Acting boss Busby fielded four teenagers at Woking - David Stockdale, Michael Staley, Lee Grant and Sean Davies - but he would be loathe to take on the Cumbrians with an even younger side.

Ex-manager Chris Brass played in front of Stockdale and alongside the other three youngsters in defence and Busby was pleased with their performances. The Minstermen had conceded ten goals in their previous three games.

He said: "Maybe we stopped the rot a little bit. Sean Davies went to left-back and did well and we played young Michael Staley and, at 17, he did excellently.

"Lee Grant attacked the ball and he's a strong lad. He knows what he's doing and had a good debut.

"Chris Brass was also superb maybe after being relieved of some pressure."

Brass and Grant are likely to continue in the centre of defence with the teenage Aston Villa defender agreeing to extend his loan until January 4.

Busby said it was too premature to talk about the possibility of a permanent switch from Villa Park and also added that he was pleased with the reception given to Brass with travelling fans holding up a banner reading "Chris Brass is Our Number One".

Said Busby: "The fans were magnificent, getting behind us. The banner was also terrific."

Updated: 09:50 Monday, November 22, 2004