It's a rap

In the wake of Tuesday night's disappointing 2-0 defeat at Bury, manager Chris Brass called a summit meeting of all his players in a bid to prevent a copy-book calamity.

Brass explained the pow-wow was called not so he and his assistant, Lee Nogan, could vent their frustration but to provide the players with a platform from which they could also air their own views.

"We were all disappointed after Tuesday night and we have worked on one or two things in training where we think we were lacking," said Brass

"We have also had a good chat about it and the boys have had a good think about it and they have come forward with one or two things.

"That's pleasing. It shows they care and that they are concerned that we gave a performance like we did.

"All I stressed was it cannot happen again. If it does, then serious questions have to be asked and its my job to rectify them.

"All I can hope is that it was a little blip and on Saturday we are back to where we want to be."

Extolling the value of face to face talks, Brass added: "We want feedback from the players.

"We have played well in games and even when we got beat at Yeovil we played well in spells and had a period where we could have got back into the game.

"For whatever reason on Tuesday, that never happened and you have to ask why. They have come up with one or two things but the pleasing thing is no one is looking for excuses.

"We want solutions and because of that I'm sure on Saturday we will come out of the traps quickly."

Brass is poised to ring the changes tomorrow after admitting the need for "one or two fine tinkerings".

On-loan striker Dean Crowe looks certain to start his first game since arriving from Luton as City look to end a dry run of just four goals in their last seven outings.

However, Brass was giving little away and will await the outcome of a couple of late fitness tests before deciding on his starting line-up.

The boss is one of the players rated doubtful after injuring his elbow on Tuesday night.

"It was very sore at the time but a lot of the swelling has gone down and I have a better range of movement," he said.

"I'll be touch and go but we will have to see in the morning."

Striker Aron Wilford looks set to remain on the sidelines.

Ruled out of the trip to Gigg Lane with a groin strain, the former Whitby marksman returned to training yesterday only to suffer a recurrence of the injury.

"It's nothing serious but it's something we have to be careful with so it doesn't become something serious and he is out for a longer time," explained the City boss.

Definitely returning to the squad is Stuart Wise, who returns after a three match ban, while Jon Parkin may well claim a place on the bench.

"Jon has worked extremely hard in training but perhaps the game has unfortunately maybe come a bit too soon," reasoned Brass.

"We will assess him again in the morning and we may just throw him on the bench.

"He is not match fit but everyone knows his qualities and I'll be certainly be happy when I have him back in the team."

Tomorrow's squads

Nationwide League, Division Three at Bootham Crescent

York City: (possible): Ovendale, Smith, Wood, Brass, Hope, Merris, Cooper, Ward, Dunning, Bullock, Crowe. Subs, from: Porter, George, Parkin, Brackstone, Fox, Stewart.

Cambridge: (possible): Marshall, Angus, Duncan, Venus, Bimson, Tudor, Fleming, Walker, Guttridge, Kitson, Tuner. Subs, from: Brennan, Murray, Nacca, Opara, Chillingworth, Revell.

Kick off: 3pm

Updated: 10:48 Friday, October 03, 2003