YORK City manager Terry Dolan has been given a six-pack of good news ahead of tomorrow's long trip to Torquay United.

The City chief has seen his preparations for the clash - possibly the last away trip in the club's history should no new owners be found by January 18 - blighted by the weather which has prevented his squad from training on grass for ten days.

Dolan is also having to contemplate the loss of Chris Smith tomorrow, with the young defender missing the tie through suspension.

But a difficult week has ended on a high with news that Christian Fox, Lee Nogan, Peter Duffield and Jon Parkin have all recovered from a variety of bumps and bruises to journey south.

On-loan Sunderland striker Michael Reddy has also shaken off the virus that ruled him out of City's New Year's Day defeat to Scunthorpe.

And in a further boost, skipper Chris Brass has also been added to the 17-man squad after recovering from the fractured cheekbone that has ruled him out of City's last four winless games.

Brass is not expected to be even named among the substitutes tomorrow, but Dolan admitted his appearance in the squad was a big psychological boost.

Explained Dolan: "He'll be going to give his vocal support and I think there is a fair chance he will be available for the Swansea game (on January 18).

"He is as keen as ever to play this weekend but that is being a bit optimistic."

After ten days without a match and with training confined to indoors, Dolan admitted the Minstermen were relishing the opportunity to return to action.

"We would have liked to have been able to do a lot more out on the training ground but it is that time of year and a lot of other teams will be in the same boat," he said.

"We have to accept it and at least the knocks have eased so we will have most of the players available.

"It's not doom and gloom by any means but with this ten-day break, it's not been what we would have wanted but I'm sure as soon as we get down to Torquay the players will be ready."

He added: "We beat Torquay earlier in the season and in our last two trips there we have had some good results so let's hope we can make it hat-trick.

"They are immediately above us in the table so three points would help us to overtake them and hopefully one or two other teams as well.

"We haven't got as many points as we would have liked over the Christmas period but we are now into the New Year and hopefully we can get some consistency, in terms of playing games."

Dolan did not divulge his likely starting line-up tomorrow.

But with Reddy available the striker is expected to return to the attack, enabling Parkin to drop back into defence in place of the suspended Smith.

Updated: 12:13 Friday, January 10, 2003