Striker Neil Tolson has welcomed York City's push for another front-man.

City's recruitment priorities remain a goalkeeper and a marksman, manager Alan Little eager to swell the Minstermen's scoring potential this summer in readiness for the 1998-99 Division Two campaign to start on August 8.

Suspension rules out the 24-year-old Tolson from the first two games. But even though a fresh arrival would jeopardise his belated return to the attack he relished the prospect of another goal-grabber at the club.

Declared the man, who was effectively cursed by injury for all but the run-in to last season: "The more players up the front to choose from, the better it's going to be for everyone at the club.

"You know then that if you're not doing the business and scoring goals then, the week after you're out the team. It will keep us all on our toes.

"I will certainly welcome a new addition to the attack."

In the wake of the release of Gary Bull and Marco Gabbiadini City's attack currently rests with Tolson, last term's top scorer Rodney Rowe and Richard Cresswell.

Despite missing the bulk of last season Midlands-born Tolson remains City's most prolific scorer currently on the Bootham Crescent books.

He is desperate to add to his tally of 20 goals of which 17 were plundered in his debut campaign two seasons ago after arriving from Bradford City in a £75,000 deal.

"That first season was my first full one for any of the clubs I have been with and I was pleased to finish top scorer with 17 goals. Last season I hardly played, because I was never really right with various injuries. I had nothing to back up that first season.

"Even so, I still managed to get three goals in eight starts, which isn't bad considering the problems I had," he ventured.

"Now I just cannot wait for the new term to kick off, even if it's going to be even harder for me because the gaffer cannot select me for the first two games."

Tolson sits out the opening brace of fixtures after being sent off in the marvellous Easter Monday win at Wrexham, a punishment that still rankles with the rangy striker.

That enforced absence will fire him to excel in City's pre-season programme, which for the first time in six years will not embrace a 'tour'.

Said Tolson: "I've got to make an impact in whatever side I play during the pre-season - even if it's with the kids.

"But banging goals in for the reserves will be no good for me. I need to be in the first team. I need to be back in there scoring goals again next season."

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