York City fans eager to see new additions to an undermanned Minstermen squad could have to wait until the end of the month to see any activity.

Holidays, contracts and a still-to-be finalised playing budget means new City player-manager Chris Brass is unlikely to make any serious transfer moves until the end of June.

But Brass, along with player-coach Lee Nogan, are set to make the most of the time as they scour the released list to ensure that the players they do bring in to Bootham Crescent will fit in.

With a current playing staff of ten, approximately six new contracts are on offer for players - with a goalkeeper and a goal-scorer a priority. However, a restrictive budget due to the current financial climate means the Minstermen faithful can also forget ambitious bids for some of the top names released from the Premiership.

Brass, who has agreed a one-year extension to his contract, told the Evening Press: "I'm going on holiday, that is something that has unfortunately arisen but I do need a break.

"The whole side of the budget won't come out until later in this month anyway while players' contracts don't expire until July 1 so I won't be in a position to properly sign anyone until then.

"At the moment I am scouring through the list of players who have been released and earmarking where I feel improvements in the team need to be made and see where that takes me.

"It is a strong market in terms that it is a buyers' market and the actual power has gone away from the players a little unless you are wanted by a number of clubs, but in the current climate I don't think everyone will be in as strong a position.

"I don't want to be offering players a wage where they are going from £1,000s and say to them - will you play for u sfor £100s? I've got to be realistic in the people I know that I can attract, but I will just be honest with them. I have to make sure that this club doesn't get into any financial implications that have happened in the past, so that means no Patrik Bergers or Alen Boksics.

"It would be great to sign players like that. They are the ones you look at and think ''Hell, what a great signing'', but it won't be.

"There are players though that will come in and fit into the framework of the success of last year, which is team spirit and people who can do a number of roles whether on the pitch or in the dressing room.

"I need someone in the dressing roomo fulfil the role that I did and the ten players that are here know how it works and I just want to bring characters in and people that want to play for York City.

"I wanted to play - I made that clear last year, so whoever I do attract I will make it clear that they need to be signing for us for the right reason."

Although there are over 550 players currently looking for jobs, the contacts of the much-travelled Nogan could be vital in sealing the signatures.

"Football is a small industry and you have a lot of acquaintances in the game," added Brass. "Lee has an awful lot of acquaintances and we will be working within that in order to attract people.

"But it is not just the players' abilities. With the small squad that I will be set, we can't afford to carry people with injuries, so we are looking towards a good young side that I can gel together and have promising times for York."

York City Supporters' Club will be holding their annual general meeting on Wednesday, June 18 in the Bootham Lounge at Bootham Crescent (7.30pm).

After the completion of the agenda items there will be the chance for members to question the Minstermen's chairman, Steve Beck, and other representatives of the club.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, June 05, 2003