YORK City will be missing top-scorer Michael Proctor for tonight's clash with Exeter City.

The on-loan Sunderland striker did not travel to Devon after failing to shake-off the hamstring strain that saw him substituted straight after scoring in Saturday's 2-0 win over Darlington.

However, the injury, which was plaguing Proctor last week, is not thought to be serious and manager Terry Dolan is hopeful by resting the 12-goal hit-man tonight will mean he is available for Saturday's home encounter with Kidderminster.

"We are just being protective," explained the City chief.

"He came off just after he scored because he felt a twinge as he hit the shot. It was the right thing to do. It is still a bit sore.

"If you try and play with a hamstring injury you can make it far worse and we would rather him miss tonight and then play the next four or five games than him play tonight then miss the rest of the season."

In another blow for City, it has been confirmed central defender Garry Hobson pulled his hamstring against the Quakers and is not now expected to play again this season.

With Proctor and Hobson both absent, central defender John Fielding is recalled to the squad for the first time since October last year after recovering from an ankle injury. Also included in the squad are trainee wingers Kieran Darlow and Marc Salvati.

Just how the Minstermen will line-up is remaining a closely-guarded secret.

Rookie striker Scott Emmerson, a second-half substitute on Saturday, could make his first start of the season in a straight swap for Proctor.

However, Dolan may chose to bolster his midfield by giving a full debut to former Middlesbrough youngster Stephen Brackstone, who came on for the final few minutes on Saturday.

The City chief, who is hopeful both Darren Edmondson and Nick Richardson will be available come Saturday, has also hinted he may be tempted to revert to a flat-back four with Fielding restored to the starting line-up.

Dolan is anxious City reproduce the form shown against Darlington and is gunning for revenge against the Grecians.

"There is a fair chance it might be tight but we have got in our minds the fact they beat us 3-2 at Bootham Crescent earlier in the season," he said.

"We didn't play well at all and we need to redress that.

"They are above half-way but they are another team we want to catch."

Updated: 09:04 Tuesday, March 19, 2002