SOUTHEND United's former Minstermen stars, Gordon Connelly and Mark Tinkler, are in talks with Division Three rivals Carlisle United.

Both Tinkler and Connelly were at Brunton Park yesterday for negotiations with Carlisle boss Ian Atkins after falling out of favour with new Shrimpers supremo Dave Webb.

Winger Connelly has failed to impress at Roots Hall since former City chief Alan Little took him south for around £50,000 during the summer of 1999 and was placed on the transfer list by Webb earlier this week.

Tinkler's expected departure would be more of a surprise, particularly as he scored his first goal for the Shrimpers in last week's 2-2 draw at Blackpool.

The former Leeds United midfielder, an £85,000 acquisition by City in March 1997, has not been placed on the transfer list but Webb is anxious to trim his wage bill and bring in his own players.

However, should Tinkler return north it will leave Webb looking to youngsters to fill the midfield void againt York City tomorrow - his first home match in charge since replacing Little at the end of last month.

His first team squad is already small and was depleted further when winger Scott Houghton was shown the door and linked up with Leyton Orient this week.

Former York City favourite Neil Tolson will miss lining up against his old club, ruled out with a long-standing groin injury that could need surgery.

However, some Minstermen connections remain at Roots Hall.

Leading the attack will be hot-shot Martin Carruthers, who spent an unproductive loan spell at Bootham Crescent last year, while on the bench will be goalkeeper Mark Prudhoe, who made two loan appearances for City in 1997.

Goalkeeper Mel Capleton is out for the season after breaking his leg in a reserve team match earlier this month leading to Prudhoe's call-up.

Southend are hoping for a party atmosphere and a crowd of more than 5,000 for Webb's first home game in charge.

Webb, who previously led Southend from the old Fourth Division to the top of the Second, replaced Little, who was sacked despite the Shrimpers having gone five games unbeaten.

Last Saturday's draw at Blackpool extended that run to seven.

How to get to Roots Hall

By train: York depart 9.31am, London Kings Cross arrive 11.37am, London Liverpool Street depart 12.40pm, Prittlewell arrive 1.32pm

Prittlewell depart 5.12pm, London Liverpool Street arrive 6.05pm, London Kings Cross depart 7pm, York arrive 9pm.

Roots Hall is a quarter of a mile from roots Hall.

By car: Follow signs Leeds (A64) to leave by The Mount A1036. Junction with A64. Forward to join A64. Junction with A1/A1 (M). At roundabout take first exit to join motorway A1(M), sign-posted The South. Junction 44 end of motorway, take left-hand lanes to join A1 (sign-posted The South, Hull (M62). Junction with A1(M)/A638. Forward to join motorway A1(M). Blyth Service Area, at roundabout take second exit A1. Junction with A1(M)/ A605/ A1139, forward to join motorway A1(M). Junction 14 take left-hand lanes, sign-posted London E, Huntingdon. End of motorway. Forward A14 leaving motorway. Junction with M11, take right-hand lane sign-posted to London to join motorway M11. Junction 6 (M25), branch left and follow signs Dartford Tunnel to join M25. Junction 29, leave motorway and at roundabout take first exit A127, sign-posted Southend. Junction with A1159, at roundabout take third exit. Junction with B1015, turn right into West Street. After about 150metres turn right into Roots Hall Avenue.

York City v Southend

Nationwide League Division Three

at Roots Hall tomorrow 3pm

York City

Team: Alan Fettis, Barry Jones, Matt Hocking, Colin Aclide, Neville Stamp, Lee Bullock, Steve Agnew, Kieron Durkan, Graham Potter, Alex Mathie, David McNiven.

Subs (from): Russ Howarth, Barry Conlon, James Turley, Scott Jordan, Christian Fox, Chris Gowen

Injury news: Peter Duffield (broken leg), Peter Swan (knee), Chris Fairclough (calf), Gary Hobson (knee), Kevin Hulme (hamstring), Wayne Hall (thigh)

Suspended: Mark Sertori, Darren Edmondson

Southend

Probable: Andy Woodman, Martyn Booty, Damon Searle, Leo Roget, Phil Whelan, Scott Forbes, David Lee, Mark Tinkler, Kevin Maher, Martin Carruthers, Trevor Fitzpatrick

Subs (from): Mark Prudhoe, Dave Morley, Leon Hunter, Dave McSweeney, Leon Johnson, Gary Cross

Injury news: Neil Tolson (groin), Mel Capleton (broken leg); Suspended: None

Referee: Keith Hill (Royston, Herts)

Match Facts

In their first five visits to Roots Hall in the 1960s, City recorded three wins and a draw.

In 1965/66, Paul Aimson (2) and John Pearson netted in a 3-2 victory.

Tom Spencer scored the only goal of the game in 1967/68 and the following season Ted MacDougall and Phil Boyer were the match-winners in a 2-1 success.

Since then in ten trips to Southend they have failed to win (four draws, six defeats).

The last two games between the two clubs at Roots Hall have been drawn.

In 1997/98 the match ended 4-4 with Alan Pouton scoring twice, while the corresponding game last term finished 0-0

Players to have appeared for both clubs include Joe Ashworth, Mick Laverick, Dave Chambers and Barry Conlon.

While manager at Southend, Alan Little recruited Mark Tinkler, Gordon Connelly, Neil Tolson, Martin Carruthers, Nigel Pepper and goalkeeper Mark Prudhoe, all of whom have played for City