YORK City boss Chris Brass insists he has had no "concrete" inquiries for teenage goalkeeper David Stockdale but admitted he would be surprised if Football League clubs did not show an interest soon.

Stockdale has impressed in City's last 11 games after Chris Porter's red card following Paul Crichton's departure for disciplinary reason gave him an unexpected opportunity.

He has since jumped ahead of Porter as Brass' first choice and, along with striker Andy Bishop, recently received a call-up to the England National Game XI provisional squad for an away match against an Italy Serie 'C' select team on November 10.

But despite the wider attention Stockdale is attracting, Brass believes his 19-year-old keeper would be better served staying at Bootham Crescent in terms of career development if offers to move elsewhere did arise.

The City boss said: "David's started making a name for himself because he's at an age when that will happen. I have had nothing concrete in terms of inquiries and, at this moment in his career in terms of his natural progression, he's at the right place and he understands that.

"I am taking him under my wing and, if something comes along that is right for David and the club, I would look after him if it's time to go but he's certainly staking his claim to be my number one.

"He's not let me down and he's still learning and, if we can benefit from that, so be it but, if he keeps improving at the rate of knots that he is, I would be very surprised if somebody did not come."

Brass also praised Stockdale's patience while he waited for a second first-team opportunity, having made his debut at the end of the 2002/2003 season.

The City boss said: "It might have gone to his head a bit when he got his first game at 17 and I would not blame him for that but he did not play again the next season and he's worked hard at his game since and has taken his chance when, to be honest, I thought it might have been too soon."

Stockdale has played behind an ever-changing defence since his elevation to the first team with Steve Davis, Chris Clarke and Graeme Law all falling injured during his spell in goal, while David McGurk returned to Darlington yesterday after ending his one-month loan.

Left-back Shaun Smith was the only non-teenage outfield player for the Minstermen in this afternoon's reserve clash at Lincoln City, kick-off 2pm.

Chris Porter, 25, was also due to play in goal but the match will otherwise be used as an exercise to see how many of the club's younger players are bridging the gap.

City Reserves: Porter, Foote, Hollingsworth, Anderson, Baynes, Smith, Arthur, Webster, Coad, Ashcroft, Lyons.

Updated: 10:46 Wednesday, October 20, 2004