York City boss Terry Dolan will wait on the fitness of a trio of stars before naming his side for the trip to Darlington tomorrow.

Lee Nogan (calf) and Neville Stamp (hamstring) were both replaced early on in the FA Cup victory over Colchester, while Lee Bullock (groin) was forced into action earlier than expected for the clash.

The trio are all rated as doubtful for the trip, but it is the injury to ex-Darlington striker Nogan which is the biggest worry.

With Alex Mathie having only just recovered from injury and lacking much-needed match practice, Peter Duffield still a way off first team action and young Scott Emmerson only just back in the Reserves, City could be left with on-loan Sunderland ace Michael Proctor as their only recognised striker.

However, Dolan has not yet given up hope on Nogan, or Bullock and Stamp, playing some part - with club physiotherapist Jeff Miller working around the clock to get them fit.

"Nogan, Stamp and Bullock are all doubtful for Darlington," said Dolan.

"Alex Mathie played 40 minutes or so on Tuesday, but that is it. There is no injury to him, just a lack of action and match practice, so we wouldn't like to start with him.

"But we haven't given up on Lee Nogan, or the others, yet and there is still time for them."

The three players have had two days off to rest the injuries after the Colchester game and Dolan was due to assess their chances in training this afternoon.

With this in mind, Dolan has been unable to give many clues on his team for the tasty derby clash.

But as Christian Fox (ankle), Gary Hobson (knee), Mark Salvati (toe) and Jonathan Fielding (ankle) are all added to Miller's workload in the treatment room, there are limited options for the Minstermen.

Mark Maley will almost certainly come in if Stamp fails to pass his fitness test having replaced him on Tuesday, while Nick Richardson will continue in his central midfield role alongside skipper Chris Brass in the absence of Bullock.

For Nogan, the names of Mathie and Emmerson will be in the hat despite their fitness problems, but it is possible City could opt for a 4-5-1 formation with Leigh Wood or Keiran Darlow slotting into midfield and leaving Proctor as the lone front-man.

Defender Mike Basham came through 90 minutes for the Reserves on Wednesday and is likely to be bench, while midfielders Aidan O'Kane and third year youth scholarship prospect Ben Rhodes have been added to the squad.

Meanwhile, young City prospect Fielding is set for a three-month spell on the sidelines following a scan on his ankle.

Doctors have told Fielding, who was injured in a tackle from team-mate Maley in the LDV Vans Trophy, he can only put partial weight on the ankle for six weeks, before starting light training.

Dolan added: "It is the worst of the alternatives of what the injury could have been, but on the plus side, at least we know what it is now."

York City's Intermediates do not have a game now until the Northern Youth Alliance trip to Bradford City on December 15 after which their next scheduled outing is not until January 12 leaving the City youngsters with just one game in seven weeks.

Updated: 12:40 Friday, November 30, 2001