Christian Fox is back on the run - and that has thrilled York City boss Terry Dolan.

The 20-year-old Fox has been dogged by injury for almost two seasons. But the midfield prospect has now been given the news that he, Dolan and the City faithful have been desperate to hear.

The specialist, who has been treating Fox since he had to undergo serious knee operation in the summer, has afforded the star prospect the all-clear to resume training.

If all goes well then Fox can expect his first reserves' outing at the start of next month to the delight of the City manager.

"Fox has been given the all-clear to train and that is exciting news," Dolan told the Evening Press.

"From today he will step right into training full-time and we have pencilled in a run out in the reserves in two or three weeks."

It's been one of the saddest aspects of Dolan's 18-month reign at Bootham Crescent that he has never truly seen the potential of a player, whose early burst into the Minstermen's senior ranks drew a host of scouts to the Crescent.

Among the bevy of Football League talent-spotters were representative from the north-east's big three of Sunderland, Newcastle United and Middlesbrough. It seemed only a matter of time before he either became an integral part of City's side or commanded a sizeable investment from a higher-grade club.

But injury - not once, but several times - curtailed the development of the England Under-16 squad member, recognised as City's prime asset.

No surprise then that Dolan is as eager as anyone at the Crescent to see an injury-free Fox return to his former standing by claiming a lengthy run in the first-team.

"Until he was injured Fox was considered the next big thing at the club. The good thing, however, is that he is young and has time on his side, so in that respect he won't be rushed," said Dolan.

"But all the same it would be great to have him back in contention."

The City manager envisages Fox among a vanguard of young players currently striving to make their mark with City as providing a healthy future for the club.

"The likes of Richard Cooper, Lee Bullock, Fox, John Fielding and now Aidan O'Kane, are all about the right age of 20-21.

"Yes, they are still only young lads, but they have all got the right attitude to be the future of this club, especially when you also got the likes of Leigh Wood and Scott Emmerson also coming through."

Updated: 09:26 Thursday, August 16, 2001