THE samba rhythms of Brazilian football will be coming to Bootham Crescent next month, when York City's ground hosts an international triangular tournament.

City will stage two games in the Nationwide-sponsored under-16s competition, namely England v Thailand and Brazil v Thailand, on Tuesday July 11 and Thursday 13 respectively.

Both games kick off at 7.15pm, and both will be screened live by Sky television.

Admission will be on the gate on the night. Prices will be announced in due course.

Club secretary Keith Usher said City were delighted to be staging the matches.

"We have hosted these kind of games before and the FA have been very satisfied with the organisation and also with the conditions here," he said.

The final game of the tournament, England vs Brazil, will be held at Sunderland's Stadium of Light on Sunday, July 16, kick off 2.15pm. Sky will again give live television coverage.

City assistant boss Adie Shaw has denied rumours that the Minstermen are wanting to re-sign former midfielder Nigel Pepper.

The 32-year-old, who has also played for Bradford City and Rotherham United, was released by Aberdeen yesterday and is believed to favour a return to Yorkshire.

He had struggled to settle at Pittodrie since moving north of the border in November 1998, and went on loan at Southend last season.

It has been reported elsewhere that City could now compete with Division Three rivals Halifax Town for his signature. However, Shaw today said: "His name has not been mentioned in this office.

"We've heard rumours saying York were interested but as far as I'm concerned that is not the case. At this moment in time we haven't shown any interest in signing Nigel Pepper."