YORK City's new loan signing Rob Constable is happy to play in the Minstermen's midfield despite normally being used as a defender by Leeds United.

Constable, 18, has agreed a one-month deal at KitKat Crescent where caretaker boss Viv Busby would like him to operate alongside Darren Dunning.

Busby feels the Goole-born youngster will bring a stronger physical presence to City's midfield and Constable believes he can help the club in their battle to move away from the Conference relegation zone.

He said: "I'm hoping I can bring some stability in midfield. I know the club has been struggling in that position so I'm here to help out a bit.

"I played in midfield a lot when I was younger and I'm happy to play in either position as long as I'm in the team."

Constable could also benefit from playing in the same side as international midfielders Seth Johnson and Eirik Bakke in recent weeks.

Johnson and Bakke have returned to reserve action at Elland Road after long-term injuries and Constable has enjoyed the experience, saying: "Most of the first-team squad keep themselves to themselves really but they have been really great with us.

"They are good players but I want to carve out a name for myself and hopefully I can do that at York."

Constable is out of contract at Leeds in the summer and realises that his spell with the Minstermen could place him in the shop window or even lead to a permanent switch.

He said: "I'm just hoping to get my face seen. It's been tough to break through at Leeds because I've been playing as a central defender and the first team are quite well off in that department so I'm looking forward to getting some experience. I'm here for a month and if things go well I'd hope to extend it."

Having never played a first-team match for Leeds, Constable was also looking forward last night to making his professional debut, saying: "I'm excited and can't wait to get out there. It should be good.

"I've heard the fans are great so hopefully I will go out and enjoy it."

Meanwhile, had Wednesday's KitKat Crescent story broken on April 1, I would probably have had more success in convincing would-be respondents to the news of its validity.

Incredulous amusement was the stock response from most City supporters and the wider sporting world as Bootham Crescent's new moniker made headlines in the Sun and saw club historian Dave Batters interviewed on Talk Sport's radio station.

Keith Curly-Wurly was even put in charge of a Chocolate XI to play at the KitKat Crescent, featuring Hernan Toffee Crespo, Robbie Flake and Gary Revel, by the nation's best-selling tabloid.

But whatever traditionalists may feel about the disappearance of Bootham from the stadium's title, what cannot be denied is the deal has already been a resounding success for both parties.

Nestl were delighted by this week's nationwide publicity and the football club have managed to complete the £2.1million transaction to buy back its newly-named ground.

It is arguably a case of the ends justifying the means and, down the A19, Doncaster Rovers did a similar thing, renaming Belle Vue the Earth Stadium to attract extra income before their present home becomes a pile of rubble and they move to a new stadium next year.

The exposure this week could also importantly persuade Nestl to continue their involvement with the football club beyond the current two-year agreement and re-ignite an association with local confectionary firms that dates back to 1922 when the club's original colours were chocolate and cream strip.

Updated: 10:55 Saturday, January 22, 2005