YORK City could be facing a fight to hold on to their leading goal-scorer Michael Proctor.

Proctor, who netted his eighth goal of the campaign in the 3-1 defeat by Darlington, has been attracting attention from a number of clubs during his spell at Bootham Crescent.

Rumours were rife at Feethams that the Sunderland striker, who is on-loan at City until the end of the season, was being lined up for a move back to the North-East with Darlington.

And while the Quakers have denied they are interested in signing the 21-year-old, there is little doubt if Proctor keeps finding the back of the net, he will become one of the hottest properties in the league.

Darlington director Luke Raine said: "I wouldn't mind having here, especially after his goal and performance on Saturday, but I speak to our manager Tommy Taylor every day and his name has never come up.

"We've a lot options up front now. We've also got Glenn Naylor coming back and he scored 17 goals for last season, while Ian Clark can play up there as well."

Raine did admit his club had looked at bringing Proctor's Sunderland team-mate Michael Reddy to the ambitious Third Division outfit, although that deal was now 'dead in the water'.

Sunderland have refused to confirm or deny whether anyone had been in touch with them concerning Proctor, but did add it is possible that he could be recalled if a club approached them concerning a permanent transfer.

If Sunderland did state an interest into listening to offers for Proctor, his would be a much-sought after signature - along with the likes of fellow Third Division hit-men Chris Greenacre (Mansfield), Gary Alexander (Hull) and Luke Rodgers (Shrewsbury).

And City know there is little they can do if the Black Cats decide to cash in on a player who is behind the likes of international trio Kevin Phillips, Niall Quinn, Lillian Laslandes, and even Reddy, in the pecking order - even though he is a key part of the Minstermen squad.

Boss Terry Dolan added: "If Sunderland want to sell him, Sunderland can sell him and there is nothing we can do."

Proctor has been a revelation since signing from the Stadium of Light, scoring in the games against Leyton Orient, Halifax Town, Lincoln City, Southend United, Macclesfield Town, Oxford United and Darlington as an ever-present member of the squad.

He has formed a superb understanding with strike partner Lee Nogan, who himself has grabbed seven goals this season.

Proctor has also gone on record to express his delight in playing alongside the former Reading and Welsh international forward.

City reserves' trip to Stockport County was called off yesterday because the Edgeley Park pitch was waterlogged.

Updated: 12:12 Thursday, December 06, 2001