YORK City defender Barry Jones is a notable omission from tomorrow's squad to face Halifax Town at Bootham Crescent.

The 30-year-old former Liverpool star played for City's second string in midweek prompting speculation he was about to be axed from the first-team.

However, while Dolan confirmed Jones would not be playing a part against the Shaymen tomorrow he insisted Jones' Bootham Crescent career was not definitely at an end.

Jones is one of a handful of City players whose contracts are up at the end of the season and City have made it clear they intend to have a smaller squad for next season. However, Dolan maintained no player's future has yet been decided.

He said: "As I said at the fans' forum, just because players are not in the first team does not mean I have fallen out with them.

"I can only pick 11 players and I can only pick the ones who I think will be the best 11 for each particular game."

Fellow defender Matt Hocking is also expected to feature among the substitutes.

Hocking and Jones were part of the impressive three-pronged defence, together with on-loan Mark Bower, that had steered City to a nine-match unbeaten run before the defeat to Plymouth at the end of last month.

However, Hocking has been laid low by a virus in recent weeks and the club are anxious to take a softly-softly approach with the former Hull defender.

With Hocking on the bench and Jones out of the picture Mike Basham is poised for his full home debut against Halifax.

Chris Brass, who had a spell on loan at Halifax earlier in the season, is likely to also move into the defence with skipper Steve Agnew returning in midfield after missing City's last two outings through suspension.

Striker Alex Mathie is also ruled out after pulling a calf muscle in the reserves' 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

Updated: 11:36 Friday, April 13, 2001