Robust Rodney Rowe has what it takes to be York City's next striking sensation.

City striker Rodney Rowe on the ball

Three goals since blasting back to senior duty four games ago have fired Rowe back to the dazzling form he showed more than a year ago.

Now as he prepares for tomorrow's visit of Preston and a fifth successive outing as partner to the feted Richard Cresswell, Rowe's potential has been lavishly praised by City boss Alan Little.

"I have told Rodney that he will win us games if he maintains the form he is showing at the moment," said Little.

"He has got that spark back and he will get us goals. He has got a willingness to work and he has the terrific pace.

"He has all the potential and ability in the world. But he has to get consistency into his game. If he does then he can have the world at his feet."

A high level of performance had been achieved all season by 16-goal Cresswell, which had earned him the plaudits and the attention of a phalanx of scouts, maintained Little.

"That's what has marked Richard out this season. He has done it week in, week out. Clubs will then take notice."

Rowe and Cresswell will spearhead an unchanged side from that which crashed to a shock exit to Halifax Town in the Auto Windscreens Shield. The only doubt lies with midfielder Mark Tinkler, though he is expected to be fit from the rap on the ankle suffered at The Shay.

The City manager is adamant that defeat was a one-off, though extra work had been done in training to reinforce defensive duties in order to repel free-scoring Preston.

"This is a great game to be involved with. If we can win it will concrete our position in the top half of the table. It will give us the platform from where we could then say, 'yes, let's have a real go'."

Preston meanwhile have suffered a major blow. Captain and midfield powerhouse Sean Gregan is out of tomorrow's game because he is serving his third one-match ban of the season.

An inspirational influence to the Lancashire club Gregan was banned for notching eight cautions this season and that was before Monday's stirring duel with Arsenal in which he was cautioned again. If he totals 11 bookings this term he will face an automatic disciplinary hearing in front of the FA.

Gregan's place in midfield alongside the waspish Mark Rankine will probably be filled by Paul McKenna. However, ex-Manchester United starlet Michael Appleton, who scored the first of Preston's three goals against City in August, is another contender.

City may be in line for their third successive 5,000-plus gate at Bootham Crescent.

Visitors Preston, buoyed by their fourth place in the table and this week's FA Cup heroics against holders Arsenal, are expected to bring as many as 1,500 fans to York for tomorrow's game.

That could nudge the attendance towards 5,000 following on from the last two home outings in which 7,527 were attracted for the Manchester City visit and 5,630 for the Boxing Day meeting with Burnley.

TOMORROW'S SQUADS

York City from Mimms, McMillan, Hall, Tinkler, Jones, Barras, Connelly, Jordan, Cresswell, Rowe, Himsworth, Tolson, Garratt, Reed, Dawson, Woods, Prendergast.

Preston North End from Lucas, Parkinson, Jackson, Murdock, Kidd, Cartwright, McKenna, Rankine, Eyres, Macken, Nogan, Appleton, Harris, Darby.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.