Striker Neil Tarrant could be on his way to becoming a more permanent fixture at Bootham Crescent.

Currently in the middle of a month's loan from Aston Villa, Tarrant has made a big impression in his first three games for City.

He has certainly caught the eye of City boss Terry Dolan who is keen to hang onto the Darlington-born frontman.

"We took him for a month to start with so there's no immediate rush but I keep reading that Aston Villa are looking at bringing in new strikers and if that's the case he won't be getting too many chances there," said Dolan of Tarrant, who joined Villa in a £250,000 move from Scottish side Ross County in April 1999.

"He is happy here and he's happy to be playing regular first team football. He's got two games left then we'll see how things develop on that score. But we are looking to the future with Neil and if there is a possibility of anything permanent I'd like to talk about it.

Dolan had brought in 6ft 1in Tarrant as a target man but has impressed with his ability on the ball. "I would say he's as strong on the floor as he is in the air. He looks as comfortable on the ground as he does with the extra height which he gives us."