York City's forgotten man Liam George can win a place on the first-team coach to Cambridge United with a good performance for the reserves at Scunthorpe.

That was the message from player-manager Chris Brass as he considers his options for the crucial Good Friday trip to the Abbey Stadium.

George, 25, has not started a League game since the end of September when City were ninth in the Third Division table but, after spending more than four months on the sidelines with shin splints, he could still help the Minstermen in their end-of-the-season fight against relegation.

With Lee Bullock having joined Cardiff on loan and Jon Parkin and Aron Wilford gone, George, who will make his comeback at Glanford Park this evening, is one of only five other players currently on the Bootham Crescent wage bill to score more than once in open play for City this season.

Nine-goal top scorer Lee Nogan heads that list with Richard Cooper, Richard Hope, Stephen Brackstone and George all having netted twice.

Darren Dunning has also scored twice but both efforts came from the penalty spot.

Former Luton striker George scored his goals in nine Minstermen starts and could still be given the opportunity to add to that tally in the club's crucial last seven games of the season.

Brass said: "Liam will get a run-out at Scunthorpe and is looking sharp. He just needs match practice but he certainly gives us an extra option.

"I don't know whether he will be ready for a starting position but he's certainly somebody who could come into the squad and I would have no qualms taking him to Cambridge where we could look to put him on the bench."

Experienced campaigners Darren Edmondson (calf) and Mitch Ward (hamstring) are both fit again but will not be risked in tonight's reserve game as they are in contention for starting places at Cambridge.

Brass said: "It's pleasing to get players like Darren and Mitch back. They worked very hard in training last week and that has continued this week.

"We have struggled with people being out and we need them back so we can't risk them picking up injuries against Scunthorpe."

On-loan Sunderland midfielder Jonjo Dickman has also returned to Bootham Crescent after recovering from the ankle injury he sustained on Minstermen duty at Kidderminster and could be involved on Friday.

But Brass confirmed that fellow midfielder Brackstone will not be considered for selection between now and the end of the season.

The 21-year-old is still training with City and playing for the reserves but Brass said: "We are still looking for players to take the club forward.

"We have been honest with Stephen and said he could find employment elsewhere but, as yet, there have been no takers."

Meanwhile, Brass has quickly stepped into the breach - and a potential firing line - by agreeing to be a late replacement at the official York City Supporters' club branch of Harrogate Minstermen's next meeting tonight.

Former City hot-shot Marco Gabbiadini was scheduled to attend the event at Knaresborough Working Men's Club (8pm), but has had to re-arrange his visit for a later date.

So Brass agreed to take part in a fans' forum at the branch. Said a spokesman for the Harrogate Minstermen: "We would like to thank Chris for his support at such short notice during extremely difficult cirumstances."

Updated: 10:47 Wednesday, April 07, 2004