ON-LOAN midfielder Rob Constable has been sent back to Elland Road after declaring a preference to play for Leeds United reserves rather than York City's second string.

New Minstermen boss Billy McEwan had hoped to run the rule over Constable during yesterday's 0-0 reserve draw at Halifax but the Wetherby-based teenager has now had his one-month stay at KitKat Crescent cut short by a week.

Constable started just two games for City and is unlikely to be given a new contract at Championship club Leeds at the end of the season.

McEwan said: "Rob Constable has gone back to Leeds. He felt he could play in Leeds reserves rather than York's but I wanted to see him play. He was not willing to do that so I have sent him back."

Club captain Steve Davis was also absent at Halifax after reporting to McEwan with a back problem and trialist Giovanni Carchedi injured an ankle early in the game on Farsley Celtic's rutted pitch.

Ex-Grimsby striker Carchedi scored in his previous outing for City's reserves and McEwan said: "I've not seen him play, only in training, and I'd like to be fair and see what he's like over 90 minutes. He's been unfortunate getting injured and we'll see how serious his injury is and then have a chat."

McEwan will also now make a decision over former Burnley midfielder Paul Weller after his second trial match.

Lev Yalcin was used as a midfielder against Halifax with McEwan keen to look at him in that role, having used him as a substitute striker against Forest Green Rovers on Saturday.

He said: "He didn't do badly in midfield. He's a strong lad and went very close with a decent shot. There seems a lot to work on with the young lads."

Left-winger Bryan Stewart did not play against Halifax because of injury.

City striker Andy Bishop completed the full 90 minutes in the National Game XI's 3-0 defeat of a Holland representative side at Woking last night.

Stuart Thurgood, of Grays Athletic, Stevenage's Anthony Elding and Liam Hatch, from Barnet, were the marksmen for the under-23, non-League team.

Meanwhile, former City chairman John Batchelor has declined to comment on rumours linking him with a bid to take over at Stockport County.

Updated: 09:48 Thursday, February 17, 2005