DARREN Dunning has signed a new two-and-half year deal that will keep him under contract at Bootham Crescent until the summer of 2006.

Midfielder Dunning becomes the third player after managerial duo Chris Brass and Lee Nogan to agree new terms beyond this summer.

And Brass will be busy between now and the end of the season discussing the future of the rest of his squad who are out of contract in July.

The City player-boss said: "It's brilliant that Darren has decided to sign for two-and-a-half years because he's somebody who has impressed me since day one of joining this football club. I was impressed with the way he applied himself while he was on trial and he came in on a lesser contract to what he was used to because he just wanted to play football, which is a fantastic attitude.

"He had it written into his contract that after 15 games we would re-negotiate but unfortunately with the club's situation at the time we could not do that. He's agreed to the new deal and deserves it.

"Between now and the end of the season we will sit down with the lads we need to tie up and some people might have to leave as we shake things up a bit."

Dunning first impressed Brass when the two played for local rivals Blackburn and Burnley respectively.

The 23-year-old midfielder was a promising Premiership youngster at Ewood Park at the time and Brass moved quickly when he became available last summer.

City's boss said: "He was someone that I always admired before I came into management and I thought he would fit ideally into the York structure of playing. I saw him play in youth games for Blackburn while I was at Burnley and then when he went on loan to Torquay and Macclesfield he always did well in the games he played against us."

Scarborough-born Dunning will sit out the games against Scunthorpe and Oxford after picking up a two-game ban against Mansfield on Saturday when he was shown his tenth yellow card of the season.

Earlier this season he was sent off against tonight's visitors to Bootham Crescnt, Lincoln City.

But Brass believes the suspension reflects his commitment to the club rather than any discipline problems.

He said: "Darren has been one of our most consistent performers. He's brought character to the team and wears his heart on his sleeve.

"He's a local lad and has some affinity for the club. He wants to take York City forward and was happy to sign for us and that speaks volumes about him because, if he continues to progress at his current rate, we might struggle to keep hold of him."

Dunning should be in the starting line-up for tonight's game against the promotion-chasing Red Imps, then should make Saturday's trip to Boston United before starting his two-game ban.

Updated: 11:02 Tuesday, February 17, 2004