YORK City defender Chris Smith is doubtful for tonight's home match with Lincoln City.

Smith, 22, received a knock in Saturday's 2-1 defeat against Mansfield at Bootham Crescent and is only rated as "50-50" for the Imps clash because of a swollen hip.

Striker-cum-defender Jon Parkin is Smith's most likely replacement if he fails a late fitness test.

City player-boss Chris Brass said: "Chris Smith is struggling slightly and is only 50-50."

Brass has also hinted at further changes with Darren Edmondson certain to return at right wing-back for Richard Cooper and Lev Yalcin likely to make way for Lee Bullock, who started Saturday's game on the bench after his week-long trial at Cardiff.

The Minstermen manager could also decide to rest other players as he did skipper Edmondson on Saturday.

He said: "Sometimes you have to rest players when games are coming thick and fast and the pitches are heavy. One or two seem to be feeling things.

"But you have to remember some of the youngsters involved are in their first full season like David Merris and Darren Dunning and they feel it. They have done well and continue to do so and the important thing is they are taking things on board.

"Lev Yalcin also came in and he's one for the future. At times, his inexperience will show but you have got to forgive him for that. He's an honest lad and he will learn."

Brass has also called on his side to follow the example of senior professional Mark Ovendale, who since his mistake against Huddersfield has been in excellent form culminating in Saturday's man-of-the-match show against Mansfield.

He said: "Mark's a good 'keeper who went for half-a-million pound early on in his career. He's got strength of character and that's the type of player you need around you.

"You need that because we are a young side and, in my opinion, probably need one or two more strong characters in and around the club. You learn more about players during defeats than you do during victories.

"During victories a lot of the things are papered over but with defeats you analyse it that bit more and see one or two who are perhaps not pulling their weight."

Brass' side have taken just one point from a possible 15 during their last five outings but, while emphasising the need for a victory against Lincoln, City's manager sees no reason for panic, saying: "I still think we are progressing as a team. We do need a win but I would be more worried if performances were poor.

"It's at times like these that you learn a lot about yourself but a great deal more about your players."

Lincoln ended City's run of four straight victories at the start of the season with a 3-0 defeat at Sincil Bank and Brass is expecting another tough test.

He said: "They are well organised, do not make a lot of mistakes and do not concede many goals. It will be a decent challenge.

"The way they play is effective even if it's not what you want to watch as a spectacle but you have to give them credit for what they have achieved in recent seasons."

Updated: 11:07 Tuesday, February 17, 2004