Shrewsbury Town's top scorer, Nigel Jemson, is poised to play through the pain barrier against York City tomorrow.

The former Nottingham Forest and Sheffield Wednesday marksman sat out Town's 3-1 defeat last week at Kidderminster through suspension.

However, the veteran goalscorer would have missed the trip to the Aggborough Stadium with bruised ribs in any case.

Jemson, who scored Shrewsbury's only goal in their 2-1 defeat at Bootham Crescent back in December, is still not 100 per cent fit and faces a late fitness test ahead of the visit of York City.

However, Shrews manager Kevin Ratcliffe will be desperate to have his 12-goal hit man back in the fold as Town look to avoid being sucked into the vortex of a relegation fight.

Defeat at the hands of City tomorrow would see the Minstermen leapfrog above Shrewsbury in the table with Town having paid the price for inconsistency.

A hat-trick of wins, including a 7-1 battering of Rochdale, in February seemed to have banished the basement blues at Gay Meadow.

However, Ratcliffe's men have won just once since then and are once again looking anxiously over their shoulders.

Adding to Town's woes, right-back Leon Drysdale and right-side midfielder Steve Jagielka are both suspended tomorrow while influential young midfielder Jamie Tolley is ruled-out with a groin strain.

However, striker Ryan Lowe is expected to have shaken-off a slight knock picked up in the defeat at Kidderminster last week.

Left-sided defender cum midfielder Gareth Hanmer is also poised for a squad return after recovering from a groin strain that has ruled him out since February.

York City (possible): Alan Fettis, Richard Cooper, Barry Jones, Mike Basham, Mark Bower, Graham Potter, Nick Richardson, Chris Brass, Steve Agnew, Lee Nogan, Colin Alcide Subs (from): Russ Howarth, Matt Hocking, Darren Edmondson, Lee Bullock, Alex Mathie, David McNiven, Gary Hobson. Injury news: Peter Duffield (recovering from broken leg), Wayne Hall (thigh/hip) Christian Fox (knee) Suspended: None

Shrewsbury (possible): Paul Edwards, Kevin Seabury, Simon Collins, Matt Redmile, Greg Rioch, Dean Peer, Karl Murray, Sam Aiston, Nigel Jemson, Ryan Lowe, Luke Rodger Injury news: Jamie Tolley (groin) Suspended: Leon Drysdale, Steve Jagielka

Subs (from): Ian Dunbavin, Mick Brown, Peter Wilding, Andy Tretton, Jason Harris, Gareth Hanmer, Wayne Thomas, Matty Jones

Updated: 11:36 Friday, April 06, 2001