ROOKIE defender Chris Smith reckons 'Terry's Tyros' can come of age as York City look to get their season back on track tomorrow.

A patched-up Minstermen welcome Southend United to Bootham Crescent, a match that will mark Smith's first senior start on home turf.

The former Reading central defender's emergence in the first team, starting with a substitute appearance in the 3-2 home defeat to Exeter earlier this month, has coincided with City's run of three successive defeats.

Smith, 20, who never played in the first-team during his time at the Madejski Stadium despite being a substitute on a number of occasions, admits it has been a baptism of fire.

But he's adamant a youthful City can battle through the hard times and emerge all the better for it.

"We will pull ourselves out of this," he insisted.

"We have got potential, hopefully we can prove it. And if we can come through this it will only make us stronger."

With injury problems mounting, manager Dolan looks set to ring the changes again tomorrow but wise, old heads will be in short supply.

However, according to Smith, it is luck as much experience that City need

"It is a very young team at the moment," conceded Smith, who was one of City's brightest performers in the 2-0 LDV Vans Trophy defeat at Notts County in midweek.

"Travelling back on the bus the other night we realised that the oldest player in the back-six including the goalkeeper was 23.

"But it doesn't matter what age you are , you have still got to do your job. And we have got experience running through the team with the likes of Lee Nogan, Chris Brass and Alan Fettis. They are always helping and encouraging.

"We have got great belief and a good spirit, we just need to get something on Saturday.

And for all City's recent woes, Smith insists he has no regrets about signing up to the Minstermen cause.

"I'm enjoying it because I am playing first team football," he explained

"We are going through a bad patch at the moment but hopefully we can sort it out on Saturday. I just hope I can carry on doing well and hopefully we can get a good few results."

City will recall Alan Fettis in goal after resting him in midweek, while Lee Bullock returns in midfield after recovering from a knee injury.

Updated: 11:01 Friday, October 19, 2001