Steve Bushell's York City future remains in doubt with just two months to go to the new season.

City manager Alan Little delightedly announced the renewed signatures of Wayne Hall and Gary Himsworth. But he and the club remain in limbo with player-of-the year Bushell, still to pledge his future to the club.

A three-year contract has been on offer to Bushell since Christmas. But despite assurances that he would sign the midfielder has not yet put pen to paper, increasing fears his future may lie elsewhere before the start of the 1998-99 season.

City boss Little said there were still a few days left to the deadline given to Bushell to cement the offer.

But he added: "Clubs like York City have always got to wait.

"Where other teams might say 'okay', let's go out and get another midfield player' and then consider the consequences if a player offered new terms was then to sign, we just have not got the finance to carry people.

"We will have to be patient. There's still a bit of time left for Bushell to give his final answer."

Bushell, who is out of contract at the end of this month, has maximum bargaining power on his side.

Aged 25, he is one year over the Bosman watershed ruling enabling clubs losing players out of contract to gain some compensation. He would be able to move without City being entitled to any transfer fee.

It is understood several clubs are keen on the midfielder, who enjoyed his best season in eight years at City last term. Among his reported admirers are Bury and Stockport County of the First Division and City's Second Division rivals Oldham Athletic.

Added Little: "The list from the Professional Footballers' Association is out now so clubs know he is available. He might be waiting for other options to come to him."

While Bushell's Bootham Crescent future was uncertain Little was thrilled by the agreement of both Hall and Himsworth to accept new deals offered at the end of last term.

"Both players give me a lot of options down the left hand side, especially with Neil Thompson being there as well.

"Left-sided players are hard to find and we have three good ones to pick from," said Little.

He added that both Hall and Himsworth had shown a lot of character in battling from a series of injuries over the past year or so.

"Gary will hate the tag but he is valuable to us as a utility player, wide left or even in central midfield.

"I don't think there's anyone better than Wayne Hall in this division at defending."

Meanwhile, former City striker Marco Gabbiadini is reportedly closer to settling on which basement club he will join.

Darlington and Scunthorpe United are rivals for the 30-year-old former England 'B' international. But sources close to Scunthorpe suggest they may have fallen behind Darlington in the pursuit of Gabbiadini.

The striker was cut loose by City after a second spell at the Crescent netted just five senior starts and one goal.

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