REDS leader Chris Brass has dilemmas aplenty ahead of the visit of Boston United to Bootham Crescent but the City supremo insists he would still have liked more.

Brass gave a handful of fringe first-team players a chance to stake a claim for a permanent starting role in City's LDV Vans Trophy tie at Halifax in midweek.

City lost the game 2-1 after which the player-boss admitted some of those players had blown their opportunity.

Despite his disappointment, the City chief still has a number of selection posers.

As usual, Brass was giving little away but admitted Dave Merris and Mitch Ward, both rested on Tuesday, will start against the Pilgrims.

Brass too should be available after recovering from a bout of mild concussion suffered at Mansfield last Saturday.

City's leading scorer Lee Bullock is also in contention for a return to the starting line-up after missing the club's last two outings with an hamstring strain.

Skipper Darren Edmondson has trained all week after a troublesome calf strain and shown no ill-effects. But he will not be included in the squad, with Brass anxious not to rush his experienced defender back too soon.

The City chief indicated Chris Smith and Jon Parkin are likely to keep their places after making their first starts of the season at the Shay.

With Ward, Darren Dunning and Bullock expected to take-up the midfield places the one real dilemma is who will partner Parkin in attack.

The on-loan pairing of Dean Crowe and Craig Dove have still to convince but the City-player boss may be tempted to hand them another chance to impress.

However, assistant coach Lee Nogan, Aron Wilford and Liam George will also be in the frame.

The return of Smith to the centre of defence could mean Leigh Wood, who has filled the void admirably in recent weeks, stepping down.

Brass was giving little away but admitted while some players had only themselves to blame if they are not included there will be others who will have a right to feel aggrieved.

"There will be some disappointed not to make the starting XI on Saturday and others who will be disappointed not to even make the bench," said Brass.

"Just about everybody is back and fighting and I would rather be in this predicament with plenty of choices than not.

"I just wish one or two had not made my decisions as easy on Tuesday."

Updated: 10:48 Friday, October 17, 2003