York City have snapped up a Premiership striker in time for the start of the new season.

Boss Terry Dolan today swooped for Sunderland forward Michael Proctor in a bid to boost the Minstermen's striking prowess.

The 20-year-old, who had a spell on loan at City's Division Three rivals Halifax Town last season, has been brought in on a one-month loan deal, with a review at the end of that term.

The move is the first to come out of City's new links with Sunderland, which were agreed over the summer. As part of these links, the Minstermen get to take upcoming Sunderland players on loan. The Black Cats also get a head start in checking out City's own young talent.

"This is a signing I've been working on since pre-season started," Dolan told the Evening Press.

"He is a player I've been looking at bringing in."

Fans will get an immediate chance to have a look at the new hitman in tonight's friendly with Leeds United at Bootham Crescent, City's final pre-season fixture before the big kick-off at home to League newcomers Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday.

"He will be involved tonight and he is likely to be involved on Saturday," said the City chief.

A host of international aces are expected to grace the Crescent despite Leeds fielding a strong first team in their friendly at Preston North End last night.

Mark Viduka, Lee Bowyer, Harry Kewell, Ian Harte and Olivier Dacourt all scored last night as Leeds hammered North End 5-0.

Missing from the line-up were Republic and Ireland internationals Gary Kelly and Stephen McPhail, South Africa captain Lucas Radebe, former Chelsea defender Michael Duberry, and England wide-man Jason Wilcox, who will play against the Minstermen tonight.

The only substitute he used last night, Republic of Ireland striker Robbie Keane, who replaced England counterpart Alan Smith on the hour, is also set to start.

With Leeds having now scored 27 goals in just five pre-season outings the Premiership big-guns are set to give the Minstermen a stern test.

The main stand enclosure and family stand enclosure had both been sold out by yesterday. Admission elsewhere is pay on the night at £8 adults (£3 concessions) standing behind the goal, and £9 (£4) for the popular stand.

York City: from Fettis, Hocking, Basham, Hobson, Edmondson, Potter, Bullock, Brass, O'Kane, Duffield, Nogan, Cooper, Howarth, Smith, Richardson, Stamp, Thompson, Fielding, Wood, Darlow, Emmerson, Proctor.

Leeds United: Milosevic, Kelly, Candsell-Sherriff, Burns, Duberry, Radebe, Keane, Maybury, Johnson, McPhail, Wilcox. Subs: Hay, Allaway, Richardson, Folan, McMaster, Singh.

York's voice of Leeds United, see Page 1

Updated: 12:55 Wednesday, August 08, 2001