YORK City are facing competition from a Football League club for the services of the striker that manager Chris Brass has targeted for next season.

Brass has already missed out on Tranmere forward Alex Hay, who preferred a switch to Rushden and Diamonds rather than moving to Bootham Crescent, and will be hoping his side's relegation to the Conference does not scupper another deal.

Assistant manager Lee Nogan believes City should ideally start the season with two new attackers on the books and said: "It's no secret that we've been on the lookout for a new striker for at least six months but it's been difficult to get the right people in and the ones we did go for we were not able to afford.

"I know Chris (Brass) has earmarked one in particular and we are waiting for him to get back to us but he's had an offer to stay in the League so we are competing with that.

"We are not just going to pick up anybody for the sake of it though. We did that a bit last season with loans just to freshen things up but the players were well down our pecking order.

"We are waiting for one to step out and there's a couple we might be able to get. The ones that are available are few and far between but, hopefully, we can get one tied up before we come back and then try and get another one in during pre-season.

"We will be taking in trialists anyway and we've also tried to get somebody in on a year-long loan who is maybe not a first choice elsewhere. That might be an avenue we can go down."

City's player-coach also confirmed that the club were close to unveiling their third signing of the summer after centre-back Steve Davis and midfielder Kevin Donovan.

Nogan said: "We are speaking to a lad who could sign towards the end of the week. He has agreed to sign and will be a great acquisition.

"He's an experienced midfielder and somebody I have played with in the past."

Nogan, meanwhile, has called on teenage striker Lev Yalcin to fulfil his potential next season.

Turkish youth international Yalcin, 19, has plundered goals for City's junior and reserve teams but is still waiting to break his first-team duck after 20 appearances.

Nogan said: " It's a big season for him. He did okay at the end of the last one after having a few injury problems.

"He's got potential and is one of those who could do anything but what's potential? We will see how pre-season goes with him.

"Hopefully, he will come back flying then he will get an opportunity. I think we need a couple of strikers ideally and it's still a priority position.

"We hope he comes back and shows what he can do and kicks on from there because, if he's doing well, he can get a run and then, maybe, we only need one new striker. He's got goals in him and needs one because, then, other parts of his game will come on as, like any striker, goals breed confidence."

Nogan missed the last three matches of the season after fracturing his jaw against Yeovil but will be fit to return for pre-season training next month.

He said: "The jaw seems fine and is near enough to healing. It will be able to take contact now and I'll be training as normal at the start of July."

Updated: 11:18 Tuesday, June 15, 2004