York City were today waiting to hear from Division Two club Colchester United regarding out-of-favour Minsterman Barry Conlon.

The U's manager Steve Whitton had been given permission to speak to the striker on Friday, and City were hoping to close a deal on the Republic of Ireland Under-21 international this week.

The 22-year-old could move to Layer Road on a permanent or loan basis and, although any firm offer was yet to be made, the Minstermen were expecting to hear from the Essex club's boss Whitton today.

City assistant boss Adie Shaw told the Evening Press: "They've shown an interest in Barry Conlon and that's it at this moment in time.

"Hopefully, a few things might happen today. We are talking to them and have allowed Barry to speak to them."

Conlon, who was signed from Colchester's Essex neighbours, Southend, for £100,000 by former City boss Neil Thompson last summer, has played only two first-team games this season, both at the beginning of the campaign.

City's top scorer last season with 11 goals, Conlon failed to score in either of his two starts this term, and, with the arrivals of strikers Peter Duffield, Alex Mathie and Neil Tarrant at Bootham Crescent, has fallen down the pecking order under boss Terry Dolan.

He was put on the transfer list last month, and Colchester - who were beaten by City in the race to sign Mathie from Dundee United earlier in September - have made a move following a knee injury to Reading loanee Keith Scott.

Conlon, at 6ft 2in, plays not unlike target-man Scott, and boss Whitton has admitted he was hoping to sign a forward with a similar style.

Meanwhile, City have been rocked by an injury to midfield maestro Steve Agnew.

He took the knock during the 4-0 thrashing at Cardiff on Saturday with the playmaker, who turns 35 on Thursday, likely to be out for a fortnight.

Furthermore, his replacement, Kevin Hulme, received his fifth booking of the season after coming on, and will now be suspended for the FA Cup tie first round proper clash with either Radcliffe Borough or Burscough.

Shaw said: "Steve pulled a hamstring and came straight off.

As regards Hulme, he added: "His suspension is another big blow, especially with the injury list getting bigger again."

* Goole expect to announce who their new manager is "very quickly" following the shock resignation of John Reed on Saturday.

Reed told his team on Saturday that he was leaving the club to become Mick Hennigan's number two at UniBond League side Harrogate Town.

However, Goole chairman Geoffrey Bruines, who said he had known of Harrogate's interest for a week, today told the Evening Press: "We've got one or two people interesed in the post and we will look at it this week. I would like to think we could get someone in quickly."

Bruines added that assistant boss John Kirk would take charge this week.

Reed had enjoyed great success at Goole, winning three successive promotions.