TWO of Sunderland's top youngsters will be slugging it out when York City entertain Scunthorpe tomorrow, writes Tony Curtis.

Fighting out of the red corner and from the York camp will be Stadium of Light striker Micheal Reddy, while in the blue corner and wearing the Scunthorpe claret and white kit will be his fellow Black Cat Cliff Byrne.

The on-loan duo have been given time away from Sunderland in a bid to get first team experience in the lower leagues and both have been making the most of their opportunities within Division Three.

Although Reddy has not found the net with the regularity at Bootham Crescent as his Sunderland predecessor Micheal Proctor, who topped City's goal-scoring charts last season, he has caused opposition defences plenty to think about with his pace and trickery on the ball.

Sunderland have agreed Reddy can extend his loan spell by another month after the current deal ends after tomorrow's duel. City boss Terry Dolan will next talk with the player.

Meanwhile, across at Glanford Park, Dublin-born defender Byrne is relishing life in the first team after failing to break in to the Sunderland line-up.

He is all set to make life for club-mate Reddy as difficult as possible.

With a mouth-watering third round FA Cup tie at home to Premiership club against Leeds United on Saturday, Byrne and his colleagues at The Iron know their places could be at stake.

However, boss Brian Laws is set to stick with the same XI that picked up the club's first win in five attempts on Southend.

Fact File

York City v Scunthorpe

United have recorded nine wins and four draws in 26 past League trips to Bootham Crescent.

City's biggest home win over the Iron was in 1992/93 when Paul Barnes scored four goals in a 5-1 success.

Scunthorpe won the corresponding game last season 2-0.

City's line-up for this fixture on November 9, 2001 was: Fettis, Edmondson, Hobson, Hocking, Maley, Cooper (Emmerson), Brass, Bullock, Darlow (Fox), Nogan, Proctor.

Players to have represented both clubs include goalkeepers Joe Neenan, Graeme Crawford, Billy Allen and Nigel Pepper.

Updated: 11:26 Tuesday, December 31, 2002