Powerhouse midfielder Martin Garratt is favourite to head York City's brat-pack battalion.

The Middlesbrough-born 18-year-old joins fellow 'new signings' Andrew Dawson and Graham Rennison in the senior squad for tomorrow's trip to ailing Luton Town.

Initially it was believed either of defenders Dawson and Rennison would contest the scrap to replace the suspended Martin Reed at centre-back.

But I understand Garratt may now have nudged ahead of his coltish contemporaries, who this week were awarded professional contracts for next season.

In what is both a back to basics and back to the future move, one of the trio of youth graduates will definitely begin their professional education at Kenilworth Road. The smart money is on Garratt.

If manager Alan Little plumps for a return to 4-4-2 rather than the three-man front-line employed in the last two home outings against Fulham and Blackpool, then the wide left role will be up for grabs.

The options include Scott Jordan being recalled, or Dawson or Rennison slotting alongside Barry Jones at the core of the defence. A return for Jordan would also enable Mark Tinkler to drop back to defence with Garratt then filling the wide role.

Said Little: "There are several options and I am considering them all, but I am leaning to going back towards 4-4-2. You can get away with playing three strikers at home, but away at a place like Luton we will more need two solid lines of four.

"Luton are currently in a nervous spell at home and we need to exploit that. It's important we go there and are strong, that we don't lie down."

Up front there will also be changes. With Neil Tolson not yet fully match fit, Richard Cresswell, whose stoppage-time header saved a point against Blackpool, will likely get the nod to partner top scorer Rodney Rowe leaving Tolson, Marco Gabbiadini and Gary Bull to fight for places on the bench.

Before a ball was kicked this season Luton Town were installed at 8-1 favourites to win the Second Division crown after their loss in the play-off semi-finals to Crewe Alexandra last May.

Yet the Hatters are in serious danger of being engulfed by relegation. They have struggled to keep their heads above water all season, which started with the entire Luton defence in the treatment room.

Unable to recover they have limped along, though they did manage a stirring 2-1 success over the Minstermen at Bootham Crescent in November. Victory tomorrow would be only the second double over the Minstermen after leaders Bristol City's one-two this term.

Luton have been more successful on their travels than at their Kenilworth Road base as shown last week when they beat hosts Walsall 3-2 to move within one point of clambering free of the four-club drop zone.

It is expected manager Lennie Lawrence will recall Sean Evers to central midfield in place of veteran ex-Eire international enforcer Gary Waddock, whose no frills approach is deemed more suited to away missions.

Back on winning form, York City Intermediates entertain Scunthorpe United in the Northern Intermediate League at Bootham Crescent tomorrow (k-o 11am).

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