York City skipper Chris Brass will miss tomorrow's six-pointer with Torquay United through injury.

The dynamic midfielder limped off during last Saturday's FA Cup third round game with Grimsby with a hamstring strain and has not recovered in time to face the Gulls at Bootham Crescent (3pm). Richard Cooper will deputise once again.

Manager Terry Dolan will start with the line-up which finished at Blundell Park.

Defender Mark Maley, an unused sub last week, has a thigh strain so his place on the bench goes to striker Peter Duffield, who came through 60 minutes in a reserves game at Shrewsbury in mid-week.

Even with out this week's off-field developments, tomorrow's game was always going to be an important one for the club given the positions of both teams in Division Three.

City boss Terry Dolan agreed the match was a six-pointer.

"The most important part of any football club is the team and that is what I am responsible for," he said.

"It is a very important game against Torquay tomorrow and we have got to get the three points.

"Given what has happened, it has been a little bit difficult to concentrate.

"But on the back of last Saturday's performance at Grimsby, the players are looking forward to playing and transferring that form into the League, as we have been saying we must all season.

"We are half-way through the season but have not had a decent run yet.

Defender Martin McNeil and on-loan left-back Chris Hanson were those sent packing, leaving Gulls' boss Roy McFarland desperately short of defensive cover.

Forced to reshuffle his pack and with the club's most experienced defender Lee Russell ruled out with knee ligament damage, Torquay crashed to a 4-1 home defeat at the hands of Kidderminster last Saturday.

In a bid to ease his defensive crisis, McFarland this week signed central defender Reuben Hazell on loan from Tranmere. He will make his debut tomorrow.

Striker Richard Logan's loan agreement from Ipswich Town was expected to be extended by another month today.

York City: Fettis, Edmondson, Hocking, Basham, Hobson, Potter, Bullock, Richardson, Cooper, Nogan, Proctor Subs, from: Howarth, Duffield, Stamp, Mathie, Smith, Fox

Torquay (possible): Dearden, Hill, Woods, Hankin, Hazell, Holmes, Fowler, Russell, Goodridge, Loan, Williams Subs, from: Northmore, Reece, Tully, Preece, Graham, Brandon

Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottingham)

Kick-off: 3pm

As reported in later editions of last night's Evening Press, York City's postponed Boxing Day clash with Hull City has been rearranged for Tuesday, January 29, kick-off 7.45pm.

Any tickets bought for the original date remain valid.

Refunds are also available for fans unable to make the new date.

The game remains an all-ticket clash, with tickets still available for home fans. For further details, telephone the City ticket office on 01904 624447 extension 1.

Updated: 11:57 Friday, January 11, 2002