THE reality of York City's desperate plight to stay in the Football League is as potent as ever going into tonight's must-win clash against Bury at Bootham Crescent.

York are second to bottom and are facing an ever-increasing mountain to climb to safety with the pressure on player-manager Chris Brass and his team to make their first of two games in hand count against Bury.

But Brass is remaining focused on the fact that City are still in control of their own destiny and is calling on his team to pull together to reach safety.

"There is a sense of realisation at the situation," he said. "We are relying on the fixtures going well around us and then if we get a result tonight we know we can get through this relegation problem.

"Depending on the way things go, we could have found ourselves bottom going into tonight. But we have simply got to do it now. We have got to make sure and win.

"We know what we are working with and all the players know they have to stake a claim in what happens and take responsibility. They all know what they have to do and the only way that is going to happen is if we all pull together as a team."

In terms of squad selection, City will be lifted by Mitch Ward's recovery from a slight hamstring problem to put him in contention of playing some part tonight, while both Darren Edmondson and Liam George came through Good Friday's defeat at Cambridge United unscathed.

Brass said: "Mitch Ward had a bit of a hamstring pull in training but that's cleared up and he will come back into the squad which will be an added boost for us.

"Liam George showed no ill effects, which is good because he looked really sharp when he came on.

"It's pleasing to know we have got the squad in good shape so it's just a case of showing some passion and a little bit more quality than there was on Friday and we should be well on the way."

Tonight's squads:

Nationwide League, Div 3

Tuesday, April 13, 2004

at Bootham Crescent

York City

Possible: Ovendale, Edmondson, Wise, Smith, Hope, Merris, Cooper, Brass, Dunning, Newby, Nogan. Subs from: Porter, Law, Ward, Bell, Yalcin, Wood, Offiong.

Bury

Probable: Garner, Barrass, Swailes, Woodthorpe, Cartledge, Kennedy, Singh, Flitcroft, Dunfield, Duxbury, Seddon, Nugent. Subs: Whaley, O'Shaugnessy, Porter, Solly, Rickers.

Referee: Paul Robinson (East Yorkshire)

Kick-off: 7.45pm

Updated: 10:11 Tuesday, April 13, 2004