MIDFIELD terriers Christian Fox and Richard Cooper are involved in a straight dog-fight to fill the void left by sidelined Stephen Brackstone for the Boxing Day clash at Boston United.

As reported in later editions of yesterday's Evening Press, Brackstone is out of City's first trip to York Street after undergoing an operation to remove his appendix.

Manager Terry Dolan has confirmed the former Middlesbrough schemer will be out of action for six weeks.

However, the loss of Brackstone has been tempered for the City chief by the return to fitness and form of Fox and Cooper.

Fox impressed as a substitute for Brackstone in the 1-1 draw with Lincoln last Friday, while it was Cooper who came off the bench to grab the equaliser in his first appearance of the season.

Dolan said: "Stephen had been having stomach related problems for the last few weeks, so at least we now know what the problem was.

"He will be out for six weeks, which is obviously a blow. It is fair to say he has exceeded our expectations this season and has gained a lot of experience in a short space of time.

"Cushioning the blow though is the fact both Christian Fox and Richard Cooper are available.

"It is safe to assume one of them could come in for Stephen."

Dolan will be forced to make at least one other change to the team that started against Lincoln, with defender Stuart Wise also ruled out after suffering a hefty blow to the head.

The young defender is expected to return to training on Friday, but with fellow central defenders Gary Hobson, Chris Smith and Scott Jones all fit and available Dolan has no reason to rush Wise back too soon.

Another addition to the squad for Boxing Day will be youth team striker Levent Yalcin, although the youngster is likely to be kept on the bench.

"Lev will be added to the squad over the festive period and he will just give us an extra body," explained Dolan.

Thursday's clash with Boston, bossed by former Minstermen chief Neil Thompson, will see City reach the half-way point in the season.

Dolan admits, even without taking into account all the club's off-field problems, he is pleased with the way his players have performed so far this season.

"I am absolutely delighted," said the City chief. "We are in the pack at this stage and I have got to be happy with that.

"It is going to be a very difficult game for us though and if we needed to be kept on our toes then their 6-0 win over Shrewsbury on Saturday has certainly done that.

"By all accounts, it could have been a greater scoreline and that result and performance will have given them a big lift.

"They had managed to get a few results together before going eight games without a victory but that win has certainly stopped the rot."

City skipper Chris Brass has had his stitches removed following an operation to insert a plate into his fractured cheekbone.

Brass is expected to be out of action for another month, but should be able to start fitness work in the gym on Friday.

Updated: 11:23 Tuesday, December 24, 2002