York City are unlikely to move into the transfer market to bolster the club's defensive resolve in the wake of Darren Patterson's surprise switch to Second Division Oxford United.

As reported on thisisyork yesterday, Patterson has signed a one-and-a-half-year deal at the Manor Ground.

Dolan, who last week secured the services of striker Lee Nogan until the end of the season, said Patterson's departure did not pre-empt another transfer raid.

"While we are always looking at ways to strengthen the squad there are no immediate plans," said Dolan.

Centre-back Gary Hobson, out since the September following knee surgery, made his comeback in the reserves on Tuesday night at Huddersfield and was poised for another run-out for the second-string encounter at Darlington tonight.

Allied to Hobson's impending return, City still have Mark Sertori, Barry Jones, Colin Alcide, Matt Hocking, Mark Bower and Martin Reed in the current squad who can all play centre-back.

Although City had hoped to keep Patterson at Bootham Crescent, Dolan insisted he had no hard-feelings towards the player.

The 31-year-old, who left Dundee United at the end of last season, was without a club when he joined City at the end of last year.

The Northern Ireland international was still recovering from an Achilles injury and initially joined the Minstermen for a two week trial.

After impressing, Patterson was offered a three month contract to prove his fitness and was earmarked as an experienced 'leader' to replace Peter Swan.

A recurrence of his Achilles problem meant he had not started a game since the 3-1 defeat to Macclesfield last month, although he made his eighth and final appearance as a substitute in Saturday's 4-0 drubbing at Scunthorpe.

But Dolan today rejected suggestions Patterson had jumped ship.

He said: "The bottom line is that Oxford have offered him a better deal than we were prepared to offer.

"Added to that, he lives south of Birmingham and that may have had a sway in his decision."

Updated: 10:32 Thursday, February 15, 2001