YOUTH will again take the place of experience in tomorrow's FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash at Carlisle United with York City in the grip of injuries.

Late fitness checks will be carried out on Paul Robinson, Gary Pearson and Lee Nogan in the hope of a late recovery but it is looking increasingly likely that the majority of the side will be made up of young-guns.

Player-manager Chris Brass said: "We are really going to have to wait until the last minute. Because of the sheer lack of numbers, we are going to have to give them as long as we can and they are in a position where an extra 48 hours can make a difference.

"We will try them with a light session today and if they get through that we will step it up on Saturday morning."

But despite the undesirable lack of choice in the matter, Brass is confident his youngsters can deliver.

He said: "The pleasing thing is that the youngsters did ever so well in the reserves on Wednesday and they proved they are certainly good enough. It's just frustrating because we are having to use so many of them at once.

"I know they are capable of doing a job and I am not frightened of throwing them in. I said to them this week that I wouldn't have them involved if I didn't think they were good enough.

"In an ideal situation there would not be so many of them in there at once because it's not really fair on them and they do need a little bit of help along the way. But fingers crossed we won't need to use so many on Saturday."

Hopes for a Graeme Law revival at right- back have been quashed by the news he is another week away from recovering from his hamstring problem, while Steve Davis and Kevin Donovan are still sidelined.

Brass does harbour the slightest of hopes that Robinson will have shaken off his hamstring strain and Pearson's shoulder knock eased.

Another recovery by player-assistant manager Nogan could also be on the cards to relieve some of the pressure.

York City juniors are at Lincoln tomorrow in the Foot Youth Alliance North East Conference Under-18 League.

Tomorrow's squads:

Carlisle United v City

FA Cup, fourth qualifying rd

(at Brunton Park)

City from: Stockdale, Brass, Davies, Smith, Merris Stewart, Groves, Dunning, Haw, Bishop, Yalcin, Porter, Coad, Arthur, Nogan, Robinson, Pearson.

Carlisle United from: Glennon, Cowan, Gray, Grand, Arnison, McGill, Lumsdon, Billy, Murphy, Hawley, Preece, Farrell, McDonagh, Shelley, Westwood, Henderson, Andrews.

Ref: Colin Harwood (Manchester)

Kick-off: 3pm

Updated: 09:50 Friday, October 29, 2004