Harrogate Town have been left reeling by the sudden - and almost silent - recall of Chris Brass by York City.

The former Minstermen player/manager had been due to stop at Wetherby Road until December 13. But City recalled him yesterday - by sending a fax to the club.

Town boss Neil Aspin said: "I don't want to get too involved in the situation with York City but the fact that nobody rang us - they just sent a fax - I'm really not very happy about.

"Things can obviously have been dealt with better. There could've been a phone call between the two clubs, or to me, but there was nothing.

"We knew that he would be going back at the end of the three months but we didn't expect him to be recalled like this with three or four games left and we are just looking at the reasons why."

Brass' impact at the club has been immeasurable with the team unbeaten in all the games he played in, including an incredible cup run which ended on penalties in a replay at home to Torquay United.

Said Aspin: "The fact that since he's been here we've been unbeaten shows what an influence he has been.

"We have got other good players at the club. He will be a loss to us but it's up to us to make sure we can keep moving forward.

"It will give somebody else a chance but if they don't perform well enough we will obviously have to get someone in."

With Brass out and now expected to be on his way to Nationwide Conference strugglers Southport, Aspin also has injury doubts over Chris Mason and Danny Holland - both hamstring problems - and player-coach Lee Philpott with his ankle.

Paul Stoneman is also sidelined with his hamstring strain.

Tomorrow's opponents are Southern League Division One West Solihull Borough in the third qualifying round of the FA Trophy in a tie worth £3,000 to the winners.

Updated: 11:14 Friday, November 25, 2005