York City boss Chris Brass brushed aside the disappointment of seeing his appeal against a three-match ban dismissed by the Football Association by revealing he was already preparing for the worst.

Confirmation the City player-chief's appeal against his red card at Carlisle had been unsuccessful was reported on our website www.thisisyork.co.uk yesterday.

It means Brass will miss tomorrow's derby duel at Huddersfield's McAlpine Stadium, as well as Tuesday's visit to Bootham Crescent of Southend and next Saturday's trip to Lincoln.

It is a significant blow for City, who are also without the services of a suspended Jon Parkin and the sidelined Chris Smith. Both may have filled the Brass void.

However, the City chief still has plenty of options and revealed he had already been preparing his side on the basis that he would be sitting out tomorrow's trip.

"Unfortunately, it appears the video evidence does not show conclusively I did nothing wrong," said an aggrieved Brass

"It is disappointing. Obviously, I am biased because I know what went on but it has happened now and we have to move on.

"At the beginning of the week, I knew it wasn't looking favourable so we had to plan as if I wasn't going to be playing.

"All week, I've roped myself off and have been out of contention so, thankfully, we will be very prepared."

Brass was giving little away as to his likely replacement in tomorrow's starting line-up.

It is possible he could abandon the 5-3-2 formation in favour of a 4-4-2 line-up, shoring up the midfield with an extra body and leaving Stuart Wise and Richard Hope to fill the centre of defence.

It remains more likely, however, that Brass will maintain the five at the back policy that has served him so well so far.

Scott Jones could be in line for a first-team recall after playing a full 90 minutes for the reserves in midweek.

However, Brass indicated the experienced defender is still short of match fitness which leaves Leigh Wood as the man most likely to take up a central defensive role alongside Hope and Wise.

Third-year trainee Sean Davies is another central defensive option and is clearly in the City chief's thoughts after Brass indicated the youngster could be included in the squad.

Christian Fox will miss out again though. It was hoped the midfielder might be in contention for a return but he has still to recover from the ankle injury suffered at Carlisle.

Despite the injuries and suspensions, Brass heads to the McAlpine Stadium in confident mood after City's winning start to their Division Three campaign.

"I fancy us against anybody. I trust the players and I believe in them. It is up to them now. They have set the standards," he enthused.

"I am going there truly expecting to get a result. That's how it should be going into every game."

Brass revealed he may have another look at striker Paul Robinson at a later date after the Tranmere Rovers player got injured one reserve game into a two-match stay with City.

"It looks like he will be injured for one or two weeks," said Brass.

"We had clearance for two games and we will just have to see whether we will have clearance to bring him in at a later date now."

After a draw and a defeat, York City's youth team will be looking to secure their first win of the Youth Alliance North-East Conference campaign when they entertain Hartlepool United at the club's Wigginton training ground tomorrow, kick-off 11am.

Updated: 10:56 Friday, August 22, 2003