Battling powerhouse Terry Barwick could be the answer to York City's midfield crisis after signing on loan for the rest of the year.

City boss Billy McEwan captured the Grimsby Town man yesterday to add some muscle to a middle of the park that has struggled without influential anchor man Emmanuel Panther.

He said: "He gives us another option in midfield so from that point of view it will give us a bit of competition.

"He can win the ball, let's put it that way, but he's got other attributes too although I don't want to give the game away."

The 22-year-old comes with a reputation of adding assertiveness at the midfield core with a combative attitude and a good engine - thereby stabilising qualities missed by the Minstermen with no natural stand-in for Panther.

Barwick signed a two-year deal with the Mariners in June after a year in the wilderness at Scunthorpe United.

Last season, the 5ft 11in midfielder played just one first team game for The Iron leading to his summer switch to nearby Grimsby.

He had come up through the youth ranks at The Iron and even made his debut against Burnley as a 16-year-old trainee back in 2000 before going on to play 42 games in 2003/04.

Barwick's season so far has included just five League Two appearances, mostly from the bench for the Mariners, with just 185 minutes on the pitch in total.

Former Scarborough boss Russell Slade, now manager at Grimsby Town, opted to send the youngster out to get some first team action despite the move forcing him into the loan market himself.

Panther has been out with an ankle ligament injury since October 15 which has resulted in a notable drop in performances and results.

As revealed yesterday, he could be back as soon as December 10 after minor surgery last week.

But McEwan is loathe to rush him back and risk causing more damage, which would make Barwick both a timely addition and a safety cushion.

McEwan is still hoping to sign up to two more players before all loan activity is frozen after tonight's 5pm cut-off point until the January transfer window opens.

After the deadline, current loan spells can be extended but no new deals struck, although special dispensation may be granted for clubs in severe goalkeeping crisis.

Updated: 11:00 Thursday, November 24, 2005