York City second in command Adie Shaw believes the Minstermen will be buoyed by a double shot in the arm next season - even without any fresh raids in the transfer market.

Although a number of City players have signed fresh terms Reading rookie Chris Smith remains the only completely new addition to the red ranks.

However, according to Shaw, when forgotten men Peter Duffield and Christian Fox, who has undergone extensive knee surgery, complete their recoveries it will be like two major new signings for the Minstermen.

And Shaw admits he is particularly relishing the prospect of seeing hit-man Duffield, who missed nearly all of last season with a broken leg, linking-up with his former Darlington strike partner Lee Nogan in a goal-getting City front line.

Shaw explained: "Peter Duffield was joining in training without any problems at the end of last season so when we return for pre-season he will be treated just like any other player.

"Foxy will still be working with Jeff Miller (the City physio) but he could be jogging with us and while not wanting to put a strict time scale on it I think he could be back in full training by the end of August or the beginning of September.

"That will be like two new signings for us.

"I think Peter Duffield in partnership with Lee Nogan could make all the difference.

"We know we didn't score enough goals last season, nor did we the season before that.

"But them two - and Barry Conlon now he is back in the fold - could do something for us if they can stay free of injuries.

"We saw with Lee Nogan what he is capable of in his last 15 games or so.

"You don't want to pinpoint everything down to one player but he played a big part in what happened at the end of last season."

City's red ranks will be further boosted by the return of another two players who saw their efforts last season curtailed by injury - striker Alex Mathie and defender Gary Hobson

"The rest will have done Alex a world of good," reasoned Shaw.

"Gary has also had a few problems with injuries but the rest should put him in good stead too."

Updated: 09:36 Thursday, June 21, 2001