Quaker shaker

The Minstermen will travel to the Reynolds Arena for the first time without suspended former Darlington centre back Richard Hope and are also likely to be missing his two most natural replacements Stuart Wise and Leigh Wood.

Wise (knee) and Wood (shoulder) are both fitness doubts, meaning Brass could turn to Jon Parkin, who is available again after a four-match ban, use one of the club's untried youngsters or switch to a flat back four with wing-backs Darren Edmondson and David Merris playing deeper roles.

Brass also admitted that he had considered bringing in a loan player to cover for his defensive shortage but that money considerations meant a new face for Darlington is unlikely.

He said: "I considered it but finances unfortunately mean we are not in a position to do anything. We have got Jon Shaw in on loan and I am also hoping Richard Hope will sign a new deal and come back after his suspension."

Tomorrow's match will be the first time in seven unbeaten games that City's back three of Hope, Chris Smith and Brass have not figured in the starting line-up and City's player-boss said: "It is disappointing because we have got a good understanding going but these things happen. We might have to shake one or two things up and somebody else might get an opportunity.

"Chris Smith and Stephen Brackstone have both come in this season after not being in the team and taken their chances and hopefully that will be the case if somebody else comes in."

Brass played a youthful back four of Graeme Law, Gary Anderson, Michael Staley and Sean Davies against Bradford City reserves this week.

The City boss was impressed with their displays in a 2-1 defeat but all four are yet to make a first-team appearance this season and Brass is unlikely to thrust them into the limelight at Darlington.

He said: "They are not far away and I would have no qualms about putting them in. They did well against an experienced Bradford side and it's now a case of them being consistent at that level and continuing their learning curve.

"I said at the start of the season that somewhere along the line we might have to turn to our youngsters and when we do I want them to be ready."

Brass will not appeal against Hope's sending off against Swansea on Saturday because his tussle with visiting striker Lee Trundle was not captured on the match video.

Meanwhile, speculation has surrounded Lee Bullock's future at the club after interest from several First Division clubs but Brass said this week: "We have had one or two inquiries but nothing in stone."

City juniors are without a game this weekend.

Tomorrow's squads

Division Three

at Bootham Crescent

York City: Ovendale, Edmondson, Smith, Brass, Hope, Merris, Brackstone, Bullock, Dunning, Nogan, Shaw. Subs, from: Porter, Browne, Fox, George, Wood, Cooper

Darlington (probable): Price, Liddle, James, Hutchinson, Keltie, Maddison, Wainwright, Valentine, Nicholls, Clarke, Conlon. Subs: Pearson, Convery, Coghlan, Norton, Clark.

Referee: Mike Pike

Kick off: 3pm.

Match points:

THIS will be City's first game at the new Reynolds Arena. In total 48 League trips have been made to Darlington and City have recorded 11 wins and 12 draws.

City's biggest victories at the old Feethams ground were 3-0 in 1950/51 and 4-1 in 1955/56.

The corresponding game last season ended in a 2-1 defeat with Lee Bullock scoring City's goal. The team that lined up on March 4, 2003 was: Ingham, Edmondson, Smith, Brass, Jones, Potter, Bullock, Cooper (Wise), Nogan (Wood), Parkin, Shandran (Mathie).

Among the many playing links between the clubs are Barry Lyons, Jimmy Seal, Mike Astbury, Steve Tutill, Glenn Naylor, Gary Himsworth, Peter Duffield, Marco Gabbiadini, Lee Nogan, Barry Conlon and Richard Hope.

Statistics by Dave Batters

Updated: 10:40 Friday, December 05, 2003