CAPTAIN marvel Chris Brass is hoping to give bruised York City a massive boost by defying the odds and returning to action weeks ahead of schedule.

Brass suffered a broken cheekbone in City's 2-1 win at Kidderminster on December 14 and was expected to be sidelined for about two months.

With the club poised to go out of business on January 18 unless a new owner can be found, the sickening injury left Brass fearful he may have played his last game for the club.

However, the Evening Press can now reveal the City skipper is targeting a return to action much sooner than expected.

Brass is even hoping he will get the green light to play in the Minstermen's next game at Torquay a week tomorrow.

"I'll be seeing the specialist today," explained the former Burnley man.

"Hopefully, I will have an 'X'-ray and as long as it is healing as we hope then things can progress.

"It will be four weeks since I did the injury on the 14th, so the Torquay game might be a possibility.

"That might be too soon, I don't know. But that is what I've earmarked and that is what I'm hoping for."

A return to action for City's inspirational skipper would be a massive boost to City, who have not won in the four games Brass has been sidelined.

The 27-year-old underwent surgery to insert a plate in his fractured cheekbone days after suffering the injury.

But as well as recovering physically, Brass is confident he will not suffer any psychological hangover after such a jarring blow.

"As long as it's healed and there are no complications then it is just a case of getting on with it," he said.

"Once it is healed it is as good as new.

"As it is now, I would have no qualms about playing and challenging.

"I am not concerned about it at the moment, but the proof will come in a match when I get another bang.

"The doctor said if it's going to go then there is just as much chance of it going on the other side.

"It's as good as new and it is just a fact that you run the risk of injury in every game."

Brass, who has been able to maintain his general fitness in the gym, admitted he was desperate to get back on the pitch to add his support to the team and club.

"I find it hard watching football anyway, I much prefer to play," he said.

"But the lads have done well, particularly when you think about what's going on off the pitch."

Updated: 11:55 Friday, January 03, 2003