JOE O'Neill is in line for a York City starting place in tonight's Conference clash at Southport.

The former Preston forward was suspended for Saturday's opening day clash against Crawley Town but manager Billy McEwan could decide to bolster his strikeforce after his team failed to convert territorial advantage into sufficient shots on goal.

O'Neill, 22, is available again after completing a three-match ban, which he received for a red card during a loan spell with Chester City at the end of the season.

McEwan did not reveal whether O'Neill would start tonight but said: "Joe gives us something different. He's got a bit of nous, craft and guile and he can get hold of the ball and retain it.

"He's a very good back-to-goal player and gives us an added dimension to our team. He was gutted to miss Saturday and will be champing at the bit.

"He might not be in the team as we got a good draw against a really strong side on Saturday but we were disappointed not to get all three points so, from that point of view, Joe will be wondering if he's going to get in or not."

Last season's 12-goal leading marksman Andy Bishop would be another option if McEwan decides to replace on-loan Halifax striker Darren Mansaram or Clayton Donaldson in attack.

But the former Walsall forward is still not fully fit after a summer knee operation.

Explained McEwan: "Last season we were desperate for him to play even if he was 75 or 80 per cent fit, this season we are not. There are other players who can do jobs for us."

Goalkeeper Chris Porter missed training yesterday with a swollen knee after clashing with former KitKat Crescent trialist Danny Ekoku against Crawley and will be the subject of a late fitness test with ex-Azerbiajan Under-21 international Farhad Afandiyev on stand-by for his Minstermen debut.

Southport, meanwhile, could be without star striker Terry Fearns, who plundered 41 goals last season for the Conference North champions.

Fearns is being linked with a move to Peterborough United but McEwan has warned his team to expect a tough match whatever the home side's line-up.

He said: "It will weaken their team if he isn't there but if somebody replaces him they will be out to impress as well. Normally teams who win promotion are on a high early in the season as well.

"They are used to winning and believe they can beat everybody. We have got to be ready for their adrenalin rush.

"It's their first home game as a new Conference team and that will give them an extra yard but we will not make it easy for them and I have no worries about my players, fitness wise."

Lev Yalcin has returned to full training after a thigh problem and Byron Webster has reported back to Wigginton Road with his broken arm healed but is currently avoiding excessive physical contact and neither player is expected to make tonight's trip.

Left-sided former Scarborough striker Dave Pounder could be added to the squad.

Updated: 10:37 Tuesday, August 16, 2005