DEFENSIVE linchpin Gary Hobson will keep his place in the York City line-up despite the return of Scott Jones for the visit of Rochdale tomorrow.

Hobson stepped into the breach at the last-minute in City's 2-0 win over Southend after Jones had his car hit by a lorry at a petrol station near Barnsley while travelling to the game.

And with Hobson not putting a foot wrong against the Shrimpers attack, boss Terry Dolan has decided to keep faith in the former Hull centre-half.

With City's top scorer, Jon Parkin, suspended for tomorrow's match, Keith Graydon is likely to spearhead a new look City attack.

Anthony Shandran is expected to come back into the side for Parkin with Lee Nogan likely to play his now accustomed withdrawn role, playing just behind the front two.

Tom Cowan completes his two match.

Just one game into his senior career and City's loan ranger Graydon is already gunning for the tag of 'promotion winner'.

The on-loan Sunderland striker made an immediate impact on his York City debut last month, as the Minstermen underlined their credentials with their win over Southend to move up into third place.

Unfortunately, City's forward momentum stalled last weekend as City endured a blank Saturday and the Minstermen subsequently slipped back down to sixth place in the Division Three table.

But, having flirted with an automatic promotion spot and having also tasted first team football for the first time, Graydon admits he is hungry for more of the same as the Minstermen prepare to welcome Rochdale.

The Irishman, who had his loan move from the Stadium of Light held up as the Supporters' Trust take-over suffered at the hands of the tax authorities, told the Evening Press: "I'm really enjoying it and I'm just looking forward to the game.

"We have got six games coming up in the next three weeks so the break might have done us some good and given the lads a bit of a rest.

"But I'm just desperate to play regular football, get games under my belt, win and help York City.

"I've been training with the club for about four weeks now, but I've only played the one game."

Despite having just the one City appearance to his name, Graydon has already caught the promotion bug sweeping through Bootham Crescent.

And having settled in so well with the Minstermen, the 20-year-old is anxious to help the club see the job through and secure Division Two football for next season.

"To have helped achieve something like that so early in my career would be great," he said, after admitting the frantic pace of Division Three football had initially caught him by surprise against the Shrimpers.

"There's a good atmosphere in the squad and everyone is confident," he added.

"Rochdale have not really got anything left to play for but that could work for them.

"There'll be no pressure on them so they could come here and give it a real go."

Meanwhile, Dolan has praised the efforts of promotion rivals Wrexham, who have now moved up into the third automatic spot.

He added: "Credit to Wrexham who from three away games have picked up seven points. They are now in the driving seat.

"We've got a game in hand on some of our rivals, but we'll all be level entering Easter so we are in with a shout."

Rochdale player-boss Paul Simpson arrives at Bootham Crescent with the dark clouds gathering.

Dale may be well clear of the relegation mire, but Simpson came under fire from home fans during the midweek 1-1 draw with Bristol Rovers.

Tomorrow's visitors have won just twice in their last 12 outings, compared to City's record of just two defeats in their last 14 games.

Sources at Spotland believe Simpson will drop down to the bench at Bootham Crescent, with Northern Ireland winger Patrick McCourt, being tracked by a number of Premiership clubs, restored to the starting line-up.

Striker Clive Platt may also return to the side after being dropped for the game with Rovers.

Updated: 11:58 Friday, April 11, 2003