YORK City were poised for a morale boost ahead of Saturday's trip to Swansea with top scorer Michael Proctor today returning to training.

The 12-goal striker has missed City's last two outings with a hamstring problem but should he come through today's session at the club's Wigginton Road training complex Proctor will be in contention for the trip to Wales.

Stephen Brackstone's hamstring has also improved after the youngster was substituted midway through the second half of the 1-0 win over Oxford on Monday.

Lee Bullock, who suffered a dead leg against United, has reported no long-lasting ill-effects and should be fit to face the Swans.

However, central defender Matt Hocking, who was withdrawn at half-time on Monday with a groin injury, is still doubtful.

In a boost for the Minstermen, Richard Cooper, out for more than two months with a broken leg, is being earmarked for a return to action within the next week.

Cooper, who recently returned to training, has been pencilled in for an outing in the reserve game with Grimsby next Wednesday.

City's youth team were in action today, taking on their Mariners counterparts in the Merit Division of the Football League Youth Alliance at the club's training ground (kick-off noon).

The youngsters recorded their first win in the end of season league with a 2-0 win over Bradford City at the weekend, courtesy of goals from under-16 squad members Adam Arthur and Bryan Stewart.

Updated: 11:43 Thursday, April 04, 2002