CHRIS Brass cannot count on neighbourly love when his York City team take on Division Three high-flyers Doncaster tomorrow.

The City manager used to live on the same estate as current Doncaster striker Paul Barnes during their time together at Burnley but the former Bootham Crescent favourite has told his old pal to expect no favours.

Barnes, who will be 36 on Sunday, scored twice in the Minstermen's famous 3-0 Coca-Cup victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford and was also part of the 1993 Wembley play-off winning team.

He is unlikely to start tomorrow's Yorkshire derby but is certain to be on the bench and has been used regularly as a substitute during Rovers' march to second place in the table.

And if he is called into action, it will be Brass' job to shackle last season's 28-goal leading marksman in the Nationwide Conference.

"Brassy is a friend of mine," Barnes said. "He used to live about 300 yards from me and I'm looking forward to seeing him again.

"We'll chat afterwards but hopefully he will be the one crying into his beer because it's important for us to get the three points."

Brass' installation as City manager at the age of 27 raised some eyebrows but Barnes believes it was an astute appointment, adding: "Anybody who knows him knows he's well beyond his years in his outlook on football.

"He's level-headed and can deal with anything that's put on him. Looking at the results, he is doing a good job and I know he won't be fazed by people saying he's only 28."

Barnes has attended City Supporters' Trust fund-raising events and question and answer sessions in the last two years and returned to Bootham Crescent twice as an opposition player for Burnley, finishing on the losing side on both occasions.

He managed to get on the scoresheet in the second match but the Turf Moor team still went down 3-1.

About returning to City this weekend, Barnes said: "Over 3,000 Doncaster fans will go to York and I know that a crowd of six or seven thousand at Bootham Crescent makes for a fantastic atmosphere.

"I'm really looking forward to it because I appreciate what the club did for me and it's a place I love going back to. When you have so many brilliant memories at a club you feel you are still a part of it.

"When you look back at that team we had now you realise how good it was with players like Dean Kiely, Jon McCarthy and Nigel Pepper. I always look out for the results and still get out the scrapbook to see those great pictures at Old Trafford. Nights like that stay with you forever.

"I hope I get a nice reception. It would also be nice to come on and score the winner and then the crowd's attitude might change. I remember getting booed when I scored for Burnley."

Barnes has started just two league games this season, concentrating more on cameo roles and his player-coach duties.

But the veteran forward believes he can carry on playing until the summer of 2005 although that decision may be revised if Rovers offer him a full-time coaching role.

He said: "You can't beat the feeling of playing and scoring goals and I feel as fit as ever but at least with coaching there are other ways you can contribute and get rewards.

"I'm also learning a lot about management. I'm in the manager's room every day, as well as scouting games and watching players."

And if Barnes does follow his old friend Brass into the perilous world of football management he will draw upon the skills of his two former Bootham Crescent bosses.

"I still speak to John Ward and he was a great man manager," Leicester-born Barnes said. "He got the best out of all his players, especially people like Ian Blackstone.

"Alan Little was also one of the most genuine managers I worked for. He expected you to work hard but also showed you respect."

Updated: 10:53 Friday, November 14, 2003