YORK City boss Chris Brass is ready to give Lev Yalcin his first start of his senior career against Mansfield Town tomorrow.

Brass has deliberately restricted Yalcin's appearances to late substitute outings since his return from 18 months of injury problems but the Turkish youth international is now approaching full fitness.

Teenage striker Yalcin did not play any part in the reserves' 4-1 defeat at Boston on Wednesday night, leading to speculation that he may be considered for a more substantial first-team role against promotion-chasing Mansfield.

Brass also believed that last weekend's 2-1 defeat at Hull once more highlighted the need for a natural goalscorer in attack with makeshift striker Lee Bullock missing an excellent opportunity to give City the lead.

The City boss said: "Lev's done well and kept banging on the door with the bit parts he's been playing. At this moment in time, I have no qualms about throwing him in and he's not so far away from starting."

If Yalcin is used from the start, it is likely to be as a replacement for Bullock and as a partner for player-coach Lee Nogan.

That would mean Brass will have to decide which three midfielders to perm from four with Bullock, Darren Dunning, Justin Walker and Mitch Ward all in the frame.

Bullock is expected to be available after flying back from his trial with Cardiff City yesterday.

Both City and Cardiff agreed before Bullock's trip to Wales that any transfer talks would take place after the weekend and Brass will now decide whether to play him from the start or name him as a substitute.

Jon Parkin will continue on the bench after completing 90 minutes in the reserves' 4-1 defeat at Boston on Wednesday.

Brass said: "Jon's got to keep plugging away until his chance comes again. At this moment in time the two Lees have done well up there.

"He's had to be patient but reserve football is there to keep your fitness levels topped up. Now, when his opportunity comes, he's got to be ruthless and make sure nobody can take the shirt off him."

Liam George, who has not started a game until September, could also be back in first-team contention next week after returning to full training today.

Brass said: "Liam's fitness levels are not that far away because he's worked extremely hard to keep on top of them and he will be a good man to have around again."

The City manager added that it was too early for Leigh Wood to earn a recall after his comeback for the reserves on Wednesday but added: "I'm sure he will play a part between now and the end of the season because he had a good start to the season and is progressing at a speed of knots we are happy with."

City's juniors are at home to Darlington on Saturday, kick-off 11am.

Updated: 10:38 Friday, February 13, 2004