TEEN striker Adam Arthur has emerged as a possible option for the right side of York City's midfield against Forest Green on Saturday.

The 18-year-old came on in the FA Cup defeat at Carlisle after 63 minutes for Andy Bishop and switched to the right wing to push fellow sub Lev Yalcin up front and made an instant impression with attacking runs and quality crosses into the box.

Arthur's display was his best in five first-team outings for the Minstermen, including two starts at the end of last season, and he could now be considered in the problem right-midfield position with injuries continuing to rule out Kevin Donovan and stand-in Paul Robinson.

Player-manager Chris Brass said: "Adam's been patient and has had his time. He started the season very lively and he's come in and had an opportunity on Saturday and he took it.

"He looked sharp, he looked positive, he got balls in the box, and is a fit lad."

Arthur generated a gilt-edged chance for Paul Groves to reduce the deficit late on and looked fearless compared to centre-midfielder Matthew Coad, who started out wide, taking players on and calling for the ball.

The youth team striker was one of seven teenagers thrown into the thick of things by injury and opportunity, and despite the glaring inexperience magnified by the sheer number of juniors, Brass was positive about them.

He said: "They are a welcome addition, the kids, but unfortunately on Saturday we just had too many in and I think it was plain for everybody to see.

"But they're good and I'm trying to keep as many of them as I can at York City because if I can keep them together and keep learning together they will have a realistic chance of taking this club forward.

"Not just for instant success, you're looking at long-term success. There is a long term plan and I will keep believing in that but we need to get some bodies in order to help their progression.

"You don't want them to make mistakes and have their confidence affected because they are honest mistakes and to an extent you have to make them but they have to learn that you can't go on making them week in, week out.

"That's the challenge that you set them - how quickly can you learn."

Brass had praise for acting right-back Michael Staley on his debut for improving as the game went on after a nervous start, and credited Bryan Stewart's second half performance.

And he is also hopeful that Sean Davies's panicky display at centre-half was just a blip.

He said: "Sean's had one bad game in however many he's had. He just looked a little bit nervy.

"By his own standards, he will be disappointed with the way he played. But in this situation you look for a reaction and I think Sean has certainly got enough within him to give a positive one."

Arthur and fellow young guns Lev Yalcin and Matthew Coad all played in last night's 2-1 reserve defeat against Scunthorpe at Bootham Crescent.

Shaun Smith, operating on the left side of midfield as the only non-teenage outfield player in the home side, scored City's goal.

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, November 02, 2004