YORK City boss Chris Brass bolstered his striking options again today by signing Sheffield Wednesday starlet Jon Shaw on a month's loan.

The 20-year-old joins fellow new signing Gary Browne in the squad to face Doncaster Rovers at Bootham Crescent tomorrow.

Shaw, who trained with the Minstermen yesterday, is highly rated at Hillsborough having been a prolific scorer at youth and reserve team level.

His eye for goal prompted a first call up to the Wednesday senior squad aged just 18 before he finally made his Owls senior debut last season.

Sheffield-born Shaw is said to be "busy and industrious, powerful in the air and sharp in front of goal".

During the 2000-01 campaign he achieved the distinction of scoring in four consecutive reserve team games after coming on as a substitute in each match.

Shaw's arrival means Brass is suddenly spoilt for choice up front with the youngster battling it out with Browne, player-coach Lee Nogan, Liam George and Aron Wilford for a place in the forward line.

Brass hinted new signing Browne will almost certainly start tomorrow's game up front.

That would suggest Lee Bullock will return to midfield in place of the suspended Richard Cooper.

Christian Fox is also added to the squad for the first time since September.

The midfielder came through 60 minutes for the reserves in midweek unscathed and would be an option to fill the gap should Mitch Ward fail a late fitness test.

Ward suffered a slight thigh strain in the FA Cup defeat to Barnsley last Sunday and has been undergoing treatment all week.

Brass is hopeful Ward will be fit enough to play tomorrow although Stephen Brackstone, Leigh Wood and are all on standby should the former Everton star be ruled out.

Brass reckons City's FA Cup defeat to Barnsley last Sunday will stand his Minstermen in good stead for yet another big crowd and the heated atmosphere of another derby.

"The lads have been full of confidence in training this week," he said.

"We are going into a more or less similar type of game on Saturday against Doncaster. It's another Yorkshire derby and because of the crowd it should feel like a cup game again."

The City chief said he was looking forward to renewing acquaintances with former City favourite and ex-Burnley team mate Paul Barnes, now player-coach at Rovers.

"He is a fans favourite and rightly so. I'm looking forward to seeing him but I'll wait until after the game before I say hello.

"I hope he gets a warm welcome but I also hope he will be on the bench so he can't do much damage."

Updated: 10:45 Friday, November 14, 2003