Scotland-bound York City were today given a central station confidence boost.

Defender Tony Barras has surged ahead of schedule in his recovery from major hip surgery to return to training.

Though the City captain will still miss the start of the new season, which starts inn just eight days, his return to full-blown training should lessen his expected absence.

And in another fillip for the club the Minstermen have offered a one-year deal to left-winger Rory Prendergast, impressive in the pre-season programme, which ends with tomorrow's Excelsior Stadium opener against Airdrie.

Enthused City manager Alan Little: "Tony has been given the go-ahead to start his pre-season training. That's way ahead of schedule and is a bonus to him and the club."

Prendergast, on trial with City since his release from Barnsley, has done enough to convince the club of giving him a one-year contract.

"I see some potential there," said Little. "He's got a sweet left foot and he delivers the ball well. He is worth a chance."

Meanwhile, the pre-season's prime performer Richard Cresswell returned to training without any ill-effects following a nasty clash of heads in the testimonial meeting with Middlesbrough.

Goalscorer Cresswell, who had enjoyed another bright outing before colliding with Slovakian international Vladimir Kinder, would be able to travel to Scotland with the full first team squad.

The City boss is proposing to treat the Airdrie excursion as an "exercise" rather than a full-blown fixture, claiming recent tests against Scarborough, Huddersfield and Boro had already battle-hardened his players.

He would be appealing to Airdrie counterpart Alex MacDonald for permission to use unlimited substitutions.

"This is an extra fixture. If I am allowed to have extra subs I can use it as an exercise. We have had two gruelling 90 minutes games, against Huddersfield and Middlesbrough, and before that the extra-time match at Scarborough."

Little declared the Airdrie visit an "extra" fixture, slotted in after City were asked to mark the opening of the Scottish club's £7 million Excelsior Stadium.

"We have got an obligation and we want to go there and win. I might try one or two combinations," he added.

Meanwhile, the City boss was concerned at the prospect of early season fixture congestion caused by the North Riding Senior Cup final.

City must play Whitby Town, conquerors of Middlesbrough, at the Turnbull Ground before the end of August.

Said Little: "It is another game. The trouble is that when you are playing Scarborough you feel you want a result because it is Scarborough.

"We got a result but you realise it puts more pressure on the team because it is another game in between two League games."

Unbeaten City intermediates wrap up their pre-season preparations with a visit to Selby Town tonight.

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