LEV Yalcin has pledged that he is ready to become a regular first-team goalscorer for York City.

The 19-year-old striker opened his senior account after a 30-match wait in last week's 2-1 defeat at Morecambe but now feels prepared to fulfil his prolific promise at junior and reserve level in the Nationwide Conference.

An ankle injury to player-coach Lee Nogan, which saw Yalcin introduced after 51 minutes of Saturday's 1-1 draw at Farnborough, could mean the Turkish Under-20 international might be handed his first start of the season against Canvey Island at Bootham Crescent on Saturday. However, City won't make a final decision on Nogan until Friday.

Yalcin has had ten run-outs as a second-half substitute this season and admitted: "I am disappointed every week when I don't start but Lee Nogan and Andy Bishop have been playing well. Bish has come in and started to score a few goals.

"Hopefully though, now my injury is behind me and I am back to full fitness, I can get more starts and be a regular scorer for the first team."

Yalcin has long been regarded as the most talented youngster on City's books but, this season, he has seen fellow teenagers David Stockdale, Bryan Stewart and Graeme Law grab opportunities to claim regular starting places while he has been left warming the bench.

The Middlesbrough-born forward is pleased for his former youth team pals but now wants to join them in the City side.

He said: "All three have done really well and I want to keep progressing and get in the team like them."

Yalcin's substitute appearances have often been brief but he was given 40 minutes to prove his worth at Farnborough on Saturday.

City fans had earlier sung "There's Only One Lev Yalcin" on several occasions during the match and the long-time City sub is hoping his display might have given manager Chris Brass food for thought.

Yalcin said: "I felt we deserved to win and thought I did quite well. I heard the fans chanting my name while Matthew Coad and myself were warming up and it gave me a good buzz. Now, I have a lot to prove to the fans and people at the club."

The teenage attacker also admitted that it was a relief to finally net his first senior goal, having made his debut more than two years ago as a substitute in a September, 2002 home match against Rushden and Diamonds.

To do so in such a spectacular fashion - running from the halfway line before unleashing a 30-yard drive into the bottom corner live on Sky television - was also a thrill despite the goal only proving a late consolation.

He said: "It had been a long wait but finally came and it was nice to score in front of the cameras. It's the best goal I have scored and the one I will cherish the most. Runs like that do play on your mind but I have just concentrated on training hard and, hopefully, I can now get a few more."

Updated: 10:13 Tuesday, October 12, 2004