York City loan signings Evan Horwood and Terry Barwick are in contention for starting places at Morecambe tomorrow.

Minstermen boss Billy McEwan has added both players to his squad for the Christie Park clash while, 45 miles away, Chris Brass is also expected to make his Southport debut at Accrington Stanley.

Brass has joined City's Conference rivals on a one-month loan deal from KitKat Crescent with the view to becoming Southport boss Liam Watson's new assistant when the transfer window reopens on January 1.

Sheffield United defender Horwood has agreed to join City for the same period of time despite being on the fringe of the Championship leaders' first-team squad.

The 19-year-old Blade made his senior debut in last month's 2-0 Carling Cup exit away to promotion rivals Reading and has been close to making the bench in recent matches.

Horwood made ten appearances for Stockport at the end of last season and began the current campaign at League One outfit Scunthorpe United but could not break into the team after The Iron's impressive start and returned to Bramall Lane after a month.

About his deadline day capture, McEwan said: "He can play centre-half or full-back and has been on the verge of Sheffield United's first team. We are grateful to Neil Warnock for allowing him to come and they are helping us financially.

"I've seen him play for their reserves and he's highly-rated by them so we have done well to get him and that's all thanks to Neil. Both Evan Horwood and Terry Barwick will be added to our squad for Morecambe."

McEwan also confirmed former City player-manager Brass' loan switch from Conference North neighbours Harrogate Town to Southport.

He said: "Chris Brass has gone to Southport until January 1 with the view to becoming their assistant manager."

McEwan, meanwhile, is looking forward to pitting his wits against former Northern Ireland manager Sammy McIlroy, who has been placed in charge of Morecambe on a caretaker basis after long-serving manager Jim Harvey suffered a heart attack.

The City manager said: "He's been an international manager and has a lot of experience so, to get him, has been a bit of a coup for them. We have had them watched and they are a good football side so we are expecting a tough match."

City's ten-goal top scorer Andy Bishop could be a doubt for the trip having missed almost two weeks' training.

Bishop was absent on England National Game XI duty prior to the Kidderminster match last weekend and, having picked up a knock at Aggborough, did not train early in the week and attended a family funeral yesterday.

Tomorrow's squads

Nationwide Conference

Morecambe v York City

(at Christie Park)

Morecambe (probable): Davies, Hardiker, Bentley, Kempson, Howard, Thompson, Perkins, Brannan, Curtis, Carlton, Twiss. Subs: Kelly, Stringfellow, Lloyd, Walmsley, O'Connor.

York City (probable): Porter, Price, Andrews, McGurk, Merris, Bertos, Convery, Barwick, Dunning, Bishop, Donaldson. Subs: O'Neill, Yalcin, Stockdale, Dudgeon, Horwood.

Referee: Ian Nolan (Lancashire).

Kick-off: 3pm.

Updated: 11:10 Friday, November 25, 2005