YORK City headed to their Staffordshire pre-season training camp two trialists lighter today after player-manger Chris Brass sharpened his axe.

Heading out of the Bootham Crescent exit door were former Leeds United and Huddersfield left-back Gareth Evans and ex-Grimsby shot-stopper Steve Croudson.

But the club's remaining trialists - strikers Liam George and Aaron Wilford, midfielder Darren Dunning, defender Andy Jordan and left-sided Irish Under-21 international Stephen Capper - have all been handed an extended opportunity to impress.

The five were all travelling with City's senior squad, which includes third-year trainee Graeme Law, to the club's base for the next five days at Keele University.

Of his decision to release Croudson, Brass explained: "We do need to get an experienced, first team goalkeeper in and I was looking at Steve as a possible number two.

"Unfortunately, we need to make sure we have got a number one first and foremost and, to be fair to Steve, we have to give him an opportunity to get fixed up elsewhere."

Brass also explained his reasons for releasing Evans, who had suffered a spell on the sidelines at Huddersfield nursing a knee injury.

He said: "Gareth showed good quality but his fitness levels are not high enough at the moment for him to do the position we would want him to do.

"It may be September, October or even November time before he reaches full fitness and we just can't afford to wait."

Having cut Croudson free and seen a move for Marlon Beresford scuppered by a failed medical, Brass admitted getting in an experienced-shot-stopper was high on the agenda.

"There are a number of irons in the fire because that has become our number one priority," conceded the City chief.

Brass was reluctant to divulge the 'keepers he has in mind but is hopeful he will have a player in place by the time City tackle Leeds United next Wednesday.

Striker Ian Lawson's proposed trial spell is still on hold as the former Huddersfield Town striker negotiates his release from his contract at Bury.

"It is a bit unfortunate but he needs to resolve that before we can move forward with him," said Brass.

- Former City favourite Paul Stephenson, who retired at the end of last season, has been named as Hartlepool's new youth coach.

Updated: 11:08 Friday, July 18, 2003