York City boss Chris Brass is hoping that confusion over where the club will be playing its home games next season is resolved by March at the latest.

The club will shortly ask landlord Douglas Craig for an extension to their current lease at Bootham Crescent, allowing the Minstermen to stay at their current home ground for a further season.

But if Craig refuses that request then City could kick off next season at a Huntington Stadium that would be under development because work would not be complete in time even if this week's planning application for the club is accepted by Easter.

Brass admitted that the uncertainty could affect contract negotiations with key players that he would like to resolve in the New Year.

He said: "The situation is unsettling because looking ahead to the future I would like to sit down with people and negotiate new deals in the New Year. Unfortunately, with things hanging over us with the ground, I'm not in a position to do that until it's resolved.

"There will be lads who have done well that I feel need rewarding and want playing for me next season but, as you get closer to the summer, you run the risk of other people trying to steal them. Lee Bullock is attracting interest now and the vultures can circle.

"People might be thinking that if York City don't sort themselves out then they can get a cheap replacement.

"The whole situation is one we understand and are not complaining about and every player that I have brought to the club has been made fully aware of the picture.

"I want it sorted out by at least March time because that is the time. squad wise, that you look at who is going and who is available that you would like to bring in and strengthen the squad."

Former City favourite Paul Barnes was sent-off yesterday as the Minstermen's reserves drew 2-2 at Doncaster Rovers.

Barnes, now player-coach at Belle Vue, was dismissed ten minutes from time after an off the ball clash with City trainee Matthew Coad, who also received his marching orders.

City, featuring a team made up largely of trainees, raced into a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes through

Adam Arthur and Bryan Stewart.

Leo Fortune-West pulled a goal back for the hosts on the half-hour mark. Doncaster drew level midway through the second-half through substitute Daniel Ailey just minutes after he came on.

Updated: 11:03 Thursday, November 27, 2003