Stricken Graeme Murty has endorsed the claims of former team-mate Richard Cresswell being crowned York City's first £1million man.

Murty - currently City's record one-off sale at £700,000 to Second Division rivals Reading - would be the first to congratulate Cresswell if he were to shatter that record with a big-money move of his own.

The Minstermen have tagged a £1million-plus price tag on to the 21-year-old Cresswell, who has shot to prominence this season with a 16-goal haul.

Elite clubs and even England's under-21 management have tracked the City sensation as he has stormed to the top of the scoring charts.

Now, as he prepares to add to that tally against Reading, who visit Bootham Crescent in 48 hours' time, Royals' man Murty declared City's coveted hot-shot to be well worth the seven-figure valuation.

"Look at the goals he has got this season and by all accounts the way that he has played. Crezzie is worth that amount.

"There's no way I would mind if he went for more than a £1million and broke my record. He's worth it and York would probably need the money, so good luck to them.

"I'd be one of the first to get on the 'phone and tell Crezzie, 'well done, pal'," said Murty, whose crippling run of injuries will continue to leave him a spectator for Saturday's return to City as a Reading man.

"I am not surprised to see Crezzie up there. He always had the talent. Maybe he lacked a bit of confidence in himself, but he has that now and when he was down at our place he looked sharper and stronger."

City lost that game 1-0 in October, Cresswell coming the closest to a goal for the Minstermen when he diverted a sharp chance on to the crossbar.

"I noticed then that Crezzie looked a lot broader, especially up top. He looks like he has benefited from some work in the summer." Murty watched that game too yet to kick a ball in League or cup anger for Reading since his June move after injuring his back during a training exercise in pre-season.

Indeed, his 'dream' move to big-spending Reading has so far proved a nightmare as the 24-year-old winger conceded. But there is a chink of light ahead for Murty.

Back in light training he is hopeful of returning to full-time training in a fortnight and then at last posting himself towards a challenge for a senior debut for the Royals.

"The second half of 1998 has been awful," he said. "I have been labelled a £700,000 couch-warmer and tea boy in the treatment room.

"Apart from the back problem and a hamstring tendon injury I've since tweaked the medial ligament in a knee as I've worked on getting my fitness back. But hopefully I'm just a couple of weeks away."

As he anticipates a non-playing return to City, for whom he made almost 150 senior appearances, Murty may still have a role at

Bootham Crescent - Thames Valley Radio have asked him to do commentary on the game.

Cash-note.

Murty's move to Reading remains the highest one-off fee received by the club. The deal that took striker Jonathan Greening to Manchester United 11 months ago will net City more than £1million provided the youngster goes on to make 50 senior appearances for the Red Devils.

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