JUSTIN Walker has admitted he is expecting an unpleasant welcome if he has to return to Cambridge United after York City's away match at Kidderminster this afternoon.

The 28-year-old midfielder's two-month loan spell with the Minstermen ends today but his situation at the Abbey Stadium is still uncertain with the results of a disciplinary hearing not due until next Thursday.

Walker was suspended by Cambridge boss John Taylor for an alleged breach of club conduct, dropped from the first team and banished to training with the juniors.

He contested that decision on Thursday at the Court of Appeal in Marble Arch, London but now, if City cannot finalise a permanent deal, he looks set for a difficult return to the club he is in litigation with.

Walker said: "If I go back there, I'll probably be going straight back to the situation I was in before and it will not be very pleasant. I've had no contact from the club or manager since leaving Cambridge and they have made it perfectly clear that I am surplus to requirements. I am pretty much out in the cold there at the moment.

"I will have to see what happens and what the hearing brings but, regardless of what the decision is, I know I am innocent of what they are accusing me of."

Walker is disappointed that the hearing panel did not reach a verdict on Thursday, adding: "I can't believe it really. I will find out the outcome by letter next week so I am stuck in limbo.

"I didn't know what to expect but I don't want to attend a disciplinary hearing again in my life. I had a barrister there and my side was heard in statements. It's up to the panel now."

City boss Chris Brass had indicated that he would like to keep Walker but that a deal could be more likely in the summer rather than next week.

And the former Scunthorpe and Lincoln midfielder has not ruled out that possibility, saying: "I'd definitely be open to discussing things again in the summer. I understand the situation the club is in and understand the manager's situation, as he does mine.

"I'd like to sit down at the end of the season if Chris is in a different position in terms of finances and knowing what he can do. We've spoken about it now and hopefully we might be able to sort something out but I think it's a case of Chris speaking to the board and the chairman and it might also depend on things at Cambridge."

City could run the risk of losing Walker to a rival club before the this month's transfer deadline but the Nottingham-born player is not aware of any other interest, saying: "It's a difficult time to get a move. Most teams in the top half are happy with what they have got and teams in the bottom half are deciding which players to keep before deciding who they might fancy in the summer."

Player-boss Brass added: "Things are tight at this end with finances and Justin is well aware of the position we're in. I don't know whether something will happen now and we might have to wait until the summer but the main thing is he's happy to come."

Updated: 10:15 Saturday, March 06, 2004