PLAYER-BOSS Chris Brass has revealed he already has his starting line-up in mind for York City's opening clash with Carlisle United.

It's just eight days to go before the big kick-off and while City still have a number of trialists at the club, plus one more pre-season friendly to negotiate, Brass is moving closer to formulating his first-choice XI.

Speaking in the aftermath of last night's 3-2 defeat to Livingston, the City chief said: "One or two players have picked up strains but I don't think it is anything too serious and we will have a clearer picture over the next 24 hours.

"But I have my starting XI for Carlisle in the back of my mind."

City started last night's game with five trialists - goalkeeper Scott Ward, left wing-back Damon Searle, ex-Northampton centre-half Richard Hope, fellow central defender Adam Reed and striker Ian Lawson.

"The trialists who we brought in gave a good account of themselves," said Brass.

"They will stay on and we will continue to look at them over the week.

"Hopefully, we will have things tied up before the start of the season."

Despite Jon Parkin's red card and the prospect of a three-match ban for last season's top scorer, Brass insisted he was happy with City's performance.

The Minstermen raced into a 2-0 first half lead only for Livingstone to peg a goal back on the stroke of half-time.

A disputed second half penalty and injury time winner saw the visitors snatch victory.

"On the playing side, there was an awful lot of plusses and it was a good test," said Brass.

"It was a lot more competitive and it was more like what we can expect.

"For 44 minutes I thought we gave a good account of ourselves but one lapse of concentration enabled them to go in at half-time just 2-1 down instead of 2-0.

"We have to learn from that."

Updated: 10:39 Friday, August 01, 2003