YORK City boss Billy McEwan is hoping to add to what he believes could be the smallest squad in the Conference this week.

The recent loan departures of first-year professionals David Stockdale, Ashley Winn and Stephen Baynes mean 13 players have left KitKat Crescent since Christmas with only Stephen Thomas travelling in the opposite direction and staying with the Minstermen.

Other players to leave the club during the last three months include Ryan Mallon, David Pounder, Lev Yalcin, Graeme Law, Leo Bertos, Tcham N'Toya, Darren Craddock, Terry Barwick, Evan Horwood and Lee Andrews.

The squad trimming means McEwan now has a squad of 16 professionals, including right-back Jamie Price who is currently returning from a hernia injury after being on the sidelines since November.

It is a situation that means junior players Byron Webster, Michael Staley and goalkeeper Arran Reid, yet to taste senior action, could still be called upon this season if injuries take their toll.

But City boss McEwan is still hoping to recruit two more loan signings before tomorrow's transfer deadline.

He said: "We have been lucky to keep a winning, settled side and that's not undermining the efforts of Joe O'Neill, Dave Merris and Mark Hotte who have been superb when they have come in and Bryan Stewart who has also done all right but we have got a very bare bones squad now.

"I think it could be the smallest in the Conference.

"With just a couple of injuries, we will be down to 14 professionals so I've got to bring a couple of bodies in before the deadline in case something happens."

City's postponed reserves clash at Doncaster Rovers has been re-arranged for Thursday, April 20, kick-off 2pm.

Updated: 10:13 Thursday, March 23, 2006