Striker Colin Alcide will be turned from front to back tomorrow as injury-hit York City manager Terry Dolan is forced to shuffle his winning pack for the trip to Southend United.

As first revealed on the Evening Press website - www.thisisyork.co.uk - yesterday, Alcide will take to the field as a makeshift centre-half alongside Matt Hocking

Suspensions to Mark Sertori and Darren Edmondson and injuries to Wayne Hall, Gary Hobson, Chris Fairclough, Peter Swan and Martin Reed, has forced the City chief's hand - leaving him without seven recognised defenders.

Alcide, signed for £70,000 from Hull City almost a year ago, turned in a promising performance for City reserves at centre-back in their 2-1 win over Shrewsbury earlier this month when a chest complaint ruled-out Reed at the 11th hour.

And Dolan insists he has no fear about pushing Alcide into a back four that sees three changes from that which guided York to victory over Mansfield last Friday.

Barry Jones is recalled at right back while new signing Neville Stamp will come in at left back for his full League debut. The rest of the starting line-up remains unchanged.

"It would have been nice to have named an unchanged team but injuries and suspensions have scuppered that and we are not left with many alternatives," admitted Dolan.

"Colin played at centre-back for the reserves and has also played there before in his career at Emley and once or twice at Lincoln City.

"He didn't look out of place there for the reserves against Shrewsbury and Shrewsbury had two very good, sharp forwards playing that night.

"But the back four have not played together as a unit before and I just hope they can remain solid."

The only other option open to the City chief was moving Jones into centre-half and handing young Marc Thompson the right-back berth and his first leaguer start of the season.

"But Thommo isn't really firing on all cylinders at the moment," insisted Dolan.

Striker John Williams has added to the City manager's injury troubles and is ruled out with a calf strain.

It means squad recalls for James Turley and transfer-listed Barry Conlon, who both bagged two goals each in City reserves' 4-2 win over Wigan on Wednesday.

"In the first-half they both did very well and got their goals. As I have always said, if people do the job in the reserves there is always a chance they will come into the first team reckoning," explained Dolan.

Youth team player Chris Gowen, who has been regular for the reserves this season, is also added to the squad alongside Christian Fox, who played 30 minutes for the reserves against Wigan.

"When we go on an overnight trip I like to take one of the young lads just to give him some experience.

"And we always take an extra body for overnight stays just in case something happens.

"But Chris has played left-back in the juniors and played left side of midfield for the reserves this week so gives us some cover there.

Gowen, who turned 18 last month, was born in Londonderry, Northern Ireland, but has been with City since the age of 12.