GOALKEEPER Marlon Beresford's proposed move to York City has fallen through, the Evening Press can reveal.

City-player boss Chris Brass, speaking ahead of tonight's friendly with Sunderland (7.30pm kick-off), immediately challenged trialist shot-stopper Steve Croudson to fill the void on a permanent basis.

The City chief appeared to have pulled off a major transfer coup in securing former Middlesbrough and Barnsley favourite Beresford.

However, the deal was always subject to a medical and with Beresford having undergone stringent tests City, following specialist advice, have now decided not to offer the 33-year-old a contract.

Brass said: "When doing a player's medical examination we expect certain criteria to be satisfied.

"With such a small squad we have to be absolutely sure and unfortunately Marlon has not met our criteria.

"It may be only a temporary problem but we need players fit from the off."

Beresford's no-go has paved the way for the highly-rated Croudson, released by Grimsby at the end of last season, to earn himself a permanent contract.

Croudson, who is also wanted by Boston, has been training with City for the last fortnight and will start tonight.

Said Brass of the 22-year-old: "The situation with Marlon has opened the door for Steve and he has certainly impressed us in training but now we need to see how he performs in a game."

All but one of club's other trialists - Gareth Evans, Darren Dunning, Liam George, Andy Jordan and Aaron Wilford - will also feature.

However, ex-Sunderland and Irish Under-21 international Stephen Capper will not play. Brass is reluctant to blood the player against his former team-mates having only just started training with City 48 hours before.

Capper aside, Brass admits tonight's game is make-or-break for the trialists. He intends to decide on their futures before City head to their pre-season training camp at Keele University on Friday.

"So far they have all impressed me and it will be good for the supporters to see the sort of players we are trying to bring into the club," said Brass.

"We want a good run out and it is basically an extension of our training so far," said the City chief.

"But it is important we try to play football and pass and play to our strengths.

"The trialists have all looked very comfortable on the ball and that is what we want to build on in the season."

Ruled out are City skipper Darren Edmondson and Jon Parkin, who have both picked up minor knocks and will not be risked.

Brass will make good his pledge to give youth its chance this season with a number of the club's trainees also involved.

Tonight marks the City-chief's first game as boss and comes against the club he supported as a boy. "It is a special occasion for me and one I am looking forward too," he said.

Sunderland are expected to name a strong-side for tonight's clash although England internationals Kevin Phillips and Gavin McCann and Denmark's World Cup 'keeper Thomas Sorenson are expected to miss out.

All three have been linked with moves away from the Stadium of Light.

Returning to familiar territory is striker Michael Proctor, who scored 14 goals for City while on loan during the 2001-2002 campaign.

Updated: 11:04 Wednesday, July 16, 2003