The number one priority

With the Minstermen returning for pre-season training on Tuesday, Brass admitted securing a new shot-stopper for next season was his top priority.

Trainee David Stockdale, still only 17, and 16-year-old Arran Reid, who is yet to start his three-year scholarship, are currently the only goalkeepers at the club.

Stockdale made his Football League debut in City's final game of last season at Oxford but has only just completed the first year of a three-year-apprenticeship.

While happy to have Stockdale serve as number two next season, Brass confirmed he would ideally like to sign an experienced goalkeeper to serve as number one .

Speaking to the Evening Press, Brass reaffirmed his interest in Marlon Beresford, who spent a short spell at City last season, but has now been released by Burnley.

The City player-boss also admitted Phil Whitehead, who played two games for City towards the end of the campaign, was another possible target after being cut free from Reading

"Securing a goalkeeper is now my number one priority and while I have a number of candidates in mind it will have to fit in with my budget," explained Brass.

"I haven't spoken to Marlon yet because he is on holiday but he is someone I would be interested in.

"Phil is another one who did a good job for us last season and he is someone who interests me.

"But there are half-a-dozen goalkeepers who are in the frame and it is now case of speaking to them to see if they are interested in coming here."

While keen on securing an experienced 'keeper, Brass admitted another option could see City repeating their success of last season when they acquired Michael Ingham from Sunderland.

If experienced shot-stoppers prove too costly, signing on a season-long loan a top, young goalkeeper from a Premiership club who is hungry for first team football was also an option.

Brass confirmed Evening Press reports that highly-rated Steve Croudson was another possible target to fill the goalkeeping void and did not rule out City signing two goalkeepers should his budget allow.

The new City chief said of Croudson: "He has played under Lee (Nogan, City's assistant player-boss) and has just been released by Grimsby and he could fit the bill as a number one or two.

"I haven't seen him play for a while so we would have to get him in and have a look but Lee speaks highly of him and so he is another one in the frame."

City may have to move quickly to secure Croudson, even if only on trial.

Lincoln City are currently leading the chase for the young shot-stopper and have, it is believed, offered him a contract for next season.

HUDDERSFIELD Town have confirmed that former management team Peter Jackson and Terry Yorath have been re-appointed at the McAlpine Stadium.

The pair were in charge between 1997 and 1999 as the Terriers enjoyed a spell in the First Division.

Former York City boss Terry Dolan, who was Huddersfield's reserve team coach under Jackson before his Bootham Crescent appointment in 2000, had been linked with the vacant position.

Updated: 10:05 Saturday, June 28, 2003