IRISH talent Aidan O'Kane is poised to complete a move to York City next week.

The 21-year-old former Celtic Boys' star, who impressed in a week's trial with the Minstermen, will return to York on Monday to again link up with the club.

And his move is expected to develop into a permanent deal once City boss Terry Dolan and the player thrash out an agreement.

The left-sided midfield role which O'Kane filled admirably in games against Tadcaster Albion and Whitby Town has been a priority for Dolan during the summer.

He hinted strongly that the Irish prospect, who currently combines a career in the Northern Ireland civil service with playing in the Cliftonville ranks, had the potential to make that position his own while fitting the identikit image of what is required as a Minsterman.

"He is like several of the other players we have now got in the squad," said City leader Dolan.

"He is the right age, he is hungry to succeed and he has the right temperament. It is a question now of us bringing him on."

O'Kane was actually twice on the scoresheet in his last City appearance in the North Riding Senior Cup semi-final conquest of Whitby Town, scoring the tie's first goal just before half-time and then on target from 12 yards in the eventual decisive penalty shoot-out.

His next outing could now be in City's first home friendly of the pre-season when Nationwide League First Division Sheffield Wednesday visit Bootham Crescent on Tuesday.

But battling to be fit for that game are central defenders Mike Basham and Gary Hobson. Both missed the final outing of the Scottish tour today when City played at Falkirk, Basham still suffering ankle damage after falling down a rabbit hole in training and Hobson troubled by a thigh strain sustained in the 1-0 defeat to Raith Rovers.

The dual absence forced a re-shuffle from a preferred 5-3-2 line-up to 4-4-2 for Dolan, who said: "It was not worth risking either Basham or Hobson and making the injuries worse."

Also out of the starting line-up today was striker Peter Duffield, who missed almost all last season with a badly broken leg. Dolan instead plumped for a front-two of Alex Mathie and Lee Nogan.

"Duffield played the full 90 minutes (against Raith Rovers) and was a bit tired. But he is shaping up well," declared the City boss.

Updated: 11:49 Saturday, July 28, 2001