BIG Brazilian striker Rogerio Carvalho will get more time to stake his claim for a City contract, writes Tony Curtis.

After the trialist played in last night's 2-0 defeat at the hands of Middlesbrough, City manager Terry Dolan said: "Rogerio has only been with us for three days, so that is our first look at him in a game. There is certainly work to be done on his fitness but you can say I wasn't displeased.

"He will be with us for the rest of the week certainly and then it is something we will have to think about - there is plenty for us to think over the next couple of days. If it means players coming in then that is good.",

A goalkeeper and a 'big front man' remain a priority for Dolan ahead of the season's curtain-raiser against Macclesfield a week on Saturday.

James Okoli, Chris Kamara and Simon Parke could all be offered another chance to impress in next Monday night's full first team fixture against Gainsborough Trinity, as could Carvalho, while Nicolas Mazzina, who picked up a knee injury in the reserves victory over Tadcaster Albion, remains at the club despite initial reports saying he would be released.

Any inclusion of Sunderland shot-stopper Jon Kennedy, who has been placed on the transfer list by the Black Cats, on Monday will remain in the balance as City have until that day to decide on whether to offer the 21-year-old anything.

But it seems likely that Kennedy will be offered a month's contract on-loan to help out the club until first-choice glovesman Alan Fettis returns to full fitness.

"He (Kennedy) didn't have too much to do," Dolan said. "It is good of Sunderland to let him come down to play and we have got until Monday to decide what we are going to do. I don't know whether he will play against Gainsborough - we will have to see."

Updated: 12:18 Thursday, August 01, 2002