STRIKER Lee Nogan and central defender Gary Hobson were undergoing late fitness tests today ahead of tonight's Bootham Crescent clash with Rochdale.

Midfielder Lee Bullock is definitely out however, having failed to shake off the ankle injury he picked up during Saturday's 3-0 defeat at Rushden and Diamonds.

In better news for City boss Terry Dolan, Matt Hocking has overcome the virus that ruled him out of the trip to Nene Park while goalkeeper Alan Fettis has been cleared to play after suffering a neck injury at the weekend.

Striker Alex Mathie has also been pronounced fit after showing similar symptoms to Hocking on Saturday, which could prompt Dolan into a tactical change.

The City manager admitted much will depend on the outcome of today's fitness tests but would not rule out starting with three attackers tonight.

Skipper Chris Brass, who has missed the Minstermen's last three outings with a hamstring strain, will definitely return to the side in a straight swap with Bullock.

Dolan, who is a former Rochdale manager and player, confirmed Hocking will also regain his starting berth.

Chris Smith, who received his marching orders at Nene Park will step down - unless Hobson, who is suffering from a thigh injury, is deemed unfit.

"The injury situation is not as bad as we feared on Saturday night," admitted Dolan.

"Lee Nogan and Gary Hobson will have fitness tests but probably have a better chance of playing.

"If Lee is out we have got the alternative of bringing in either Alex Mathie or Peter Duffield, or playing both of them.

"We finished playing with three up front on Saturday and it is an alternative for us."

With only goal difference is keeping City off the bottom of the League, Dolan admitted City could ill-afford for Saturday's sell-out game with Premiership Fulham to prove a distraction

"With us picking nothing up at the weekend it has put even more importance on tonight's game," he said.

"We could do with the three points, that is for sure. Everybody has got Fulham on their minds and, quite rightly, the supporters are looking forward to it.

"But tonight is a very important game for us and we need them behind us in as many numbers as possible."

Dolan conceded City's efforts in beating Grimsby last week had been a major factor behind their 3-0 reverse against Rushden.

"It is easy to use that as one of the reasons," he said

"But if you look at the teams who had good results in the FA Cup - Bristol Rovers, Leyton Orient and Rotherham - they all lost on Saturday.

"I don't think that is a coincidence. It does take some getting over both mentally as well as physically.

"We don't have a big squad so that we can give people a rest so we just have to get on with it.

"The games are coming thick and fast so it is trying to manage the squad in the best way possible."

Updated: 08:36 Tuesday, January 22, 2002