YORK City look set to be without the services of top scorer Michael Proctor at Macclesfield Town tomorrow.

The 12-goal hitman is struggling with a hamstring strain that saw him substituted midway through the second half of Tuesday night's 2-0 win over Lincoln City and is rated doubtful for the trip to Moss Rose.

The news comes just hours after the Evening Press revealed a transfer deadline day swoop by Mansfield Town to capture Proctor had failed.

The Stags wanted the on-loan Sunderland striker to boost their ailing promotion bid and were willing to pay the Black Cats a club record £175,000 for his services.

The fee would have involved a £75,000 down payment plus two further £50,000 instalments once Proctor had made 25 and then 50 appearances for Town.

However, as reported on our website - www.thisisyork.co.uk - yesterday, Sunderland rejected the offer leaving Proctor, once he has recovered from his injury, to see out the remainder of the season with City.

City manager Terry Dolan, who said he had not been made aware of any bid from Mansfield, said: "Michael has been having a bit of a problem with a tight hamstring over the last few weeks and we don't want him to aggravate it anymore.

"He may miss Saturday in the hope he can be okay for the visit of Oxford United on Monday."

With Proctor likely to be ruled out for the trip to Moss Rose, new signing defender Scott Jones is on stand-by to make his full debut after coming on for the striker against the Imps.

Jones, on loan from Bristol Rovers, will start at the back with Jon Parkin, who moved up front after Proctor was withdrawn, starting in attack.

Christian Fox is added to the squad after recovering from an ankle injury that ruled him out on Tuesday but the actual starting line-up, apart from Jones coming in for Proctor, will remain unchanged.

Dolan is anxious City maintain their return to winning ways with victory at Macclesfield and admits the Silkmen are one of the teams they are looking to catch in the run-in.

Although they are five places ahead of City in the table, a win for the Minstermen would take City to within three points of Town with two games in hand.

"They have probably picked up more points away than they have at home so let's hope we can catch them on their ground tomorrow," said Dolan.

Dolan has confirmed City will not be following up their interest in Chesterfield defender Greg Pearce, who has featured in City's last two reserve team outings.

In brighter news on the injury front for City, defenders Chris Smith and Neville Stamp have returned to first-team training after recovering from hamstring problems.

Midfielder Nick Richardson is also on the comeback trail after a calf strain, while Richard Cooper, who has recovered from a broken leg, was due to return to full training yesterday before falling ill.

Updated: 11:20 Friday, March 29, 2002