YORK City boss Chris Brass has warned his players that their livelihoods could be at stake if the club drop out of the Football League this season.

City's board confirmed this week that the club would financially survive relegation, however regrettable, and continue as a full-time outfit.

But, with all the playing staff bar Brass, Lee Nogan and Darren Dunning presently contracted beyond the end of this season, City's player-manager believes that certain individuals could struggle to find another professional deal this summer.

Speaking as part of his weekly Evening Press column, Brass said: "The players have got to realise what it means to them if we go out of the league. You look at people that it's happened to in the past and there's not a great deal who get offers to go back.

"You only have to refer to Halifax where I think there was only four of their squad who came back into the league so, statistically, our boys need to know that if they go out of this league there will not be many takers."

One of the players desperate for City to hang on to their Division Three status is fit-again striker Liam George.

George returned to action after a four month injury lay-off with 60 minutes in last night's 2-2 reserve draw at Scunthorpe United.

The 25-year-old striker last started a first-team game in September but, after his Glanford Park run-out, he felt no recurrence of the shin splints injury that has dogged him in the second half of the season and feels fit enough to play a part in the club's crucial seven-match run-in.

George's two goals since his summer arrival at Bootham Crescent mean he is still the club's third top scorer in a shot-shy season. He is now hoping to improve on that tally.

He said: "Scoring goals is what I do. That's my job.

"It's why I came here and it's what I have always been known to do. Hopefully if I can get back in the team, that's what I will do.

"Being third top scorer still shows we have struggled a bit. I got kept out of the team when we were doing well and I was frustrated so hopefully now the lads are not doing very well I can get back in and try and pick them up again.

"I want to help the lads in the battles we have got ahead and help them get firing again."

The former Luton striker believes he is fit enough to be involved in tomorrow night's trip to Cambridge United and manager Chris Brass has not ruled out a possible place on the bench for the Abbey Stadium clash.

George said: "I would be more than happy to be involved at Cambridge. I don't know in what capacity but I feel fit enough.

"I might be a bit sore after playing against Scunthorpe but, if I look after myself over the next couple of days, I will be more than ready and hopefully a bit fresher than some of the lads that are feeling it a little bit."

When George picked up his shin injury the Minstermen were still in play-off contention and he admits that he is very surprised to be returning to a first-team squad that is now embroiled in a relegation scrap.

He said: "It's been amazingly frustrating to watch what has happened. I was hoping to get back just before Christmas and I was talking about the play-offs as everybody was but since then we have gone on such a bad run.

"The club have stuck by me and I really feel like I have got to do my part for them. Even when I have felt down over the past three months the manager has always been there to pick me up with positive words and I think I can but try and help the lads get out of this little tight spot we are in."

George added that he has no desire to become a Conference player but if City do not beat the drop he would want to be part of an attempt to bounce straight back up.

"I definitely don't want to play in the Conference," he said. "I am 25 now and want to start pushing to reach my peak in the next year or so.

"I want to be playing in the Third Division at least, if not the Second. The Conference is not where I want to be but, if it happens, I am one of the players who got the club into it.

"And, hopefully, if needs be, I will be one of the players who helps get the club back out.

"It's a great club, with a lovely set-up and fantastic people. If I can get involved in the last seven games and do well the rest will be up to the club.

"If I get offered something I would be more than happy to stay."

City boss Chris Brass admitted he came away lifted by last night's monthly Harrogate Minstermen fans forum.

Brass agreed to stand in at late notice for the unavailable Marco Gabbiadini and answered supporters' questions.

The City player-manager said: "I came away feeling lifted. The Harrogate Minstermen have always backed me and it also gave me the opportunity to get a few things off my chest and hopefully make our situation at the club a bit clearer."

Updated: 10:50 Thursday, April 08, 2004